Biodegradable artificial leather based on Apinat

API and Fiscagomma SPA, an Italian producer of synthetic leather and finished products as an alternative to leather have formed a partnership to develop a range of eco-friendly materials which would meet the increasing demand for such products in the footwear and synthetic leather industries.

Starting from API's bioplastics Apinat, the stated aim of the partnership was to reduce the use of solvents while exploring the possibility of using raw materials which would provide the fashion industry with a viable, more environmentally friendly alternative to TPUs. The aim of the project was to develop a new one-component product with the following characteristics:

• ensure that the minimum number of technological and process changes would be necessary thus providing clients and end users with an innovative product without needing to invest in costly machinery upgrades and replacements;
• guarantee that the end-product adequately met the needs of the end user;
• the working processes needed to remain the same as the traditional methods used to work synthetic leather in TPU.

The companies developed and launched a biodegradable series of eco-leather based on Apinat. The synthetic leather is super-soft and can be processed using both coagulation and transfer coating.

The first application of the eco-leather was in the bookbinding industry leading to the development of the Aurora product line by Fiscagomma. The Aurora material is obtained using Apinat eco-leather on a non-woven support material. Aurora has already been chosen by leading global manufacturers of stationery.

In addition to the bookbinding industries, the Apinat eco-leather series can be used in footwear, clothing and packaging industries.

API will present Apinat biodegradable synthetic leather at Techtextil in Frankfurt, 24 to 26 May 2011 (hall 4.1, stand C74).

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