Specialty chemicals group LANXESS is focusing on optimizing its top coat systems, especially those used for automotive leathers, and on expanding its share of the market. To this end, the Leather (LEA) business unit has invested in appropriate technologies and has now purchased a new type of roll coating machine for its Technology Center in Leverkusen. Michael Franken, head of Finishing in LEA’s Product Development Application section, comments: “There is an increasing demand for new, environment-friendly processes for applying leather finishes and other coatings. We have therefore invested in product development so that we can play an active part in this trend.” The Leather business unit’s applications technologists can use the new roll coating machine to develop modern top coat formulations for their customers and help them with technical problems.

The new Gemata Topstar roll coating machine has specially developed rubber screen rollers for direct roll coating. This makes it possible to apply top coats more accurately and with virtually no wastage. In addition to cutting costs significantly, this method of application also improves the environmental balance of the leather production process compared with conventional spraying methods, where as much as 50 percent of the formulation may be wasted due to overspraying.

“Manufacturers of automotive leathers value our expertise. In this hotly contested, multi-billion euro market, the technical support that we can offer and the development of cost-effective, environment-friendly recipes for our leather customers are invaluable in helping us to remain competitive,” says Franken.

LANXESS is a leading supplier of system solutions for the leather industry, from chemicals for all stages of the leather production process to full technical support at the customer’s plant. The Leather business unit is part of LANXESS’s Performance Chemicals segment, which posted sales of EUR 1,930 million in fiscal 2008.