INSQIN
INSQIN® inspires a new generation of PU coated fabrics that enable disruptive innovation.
Bayer MaterialScience has announced the launch of a new turnkey solution for a fresh generation of polyurethane- (PU) coated fabrics.
The organisation - one of the world's leading producers of polymer products - announced the news this week (July 15th), marking what it calls a new chapter in the footwear and apparel sector.
PU is utilised in enhancing many everyday fabrics, with some seven billion pairs of shoes, two billion bags and a billion garments being produced using PU leather and other PU-coated fabrics every year.
Exploring new possibilities
Within the footwear and apparel market, Bayer offers brands integrated packages of pure waterborne PU technology, in addition to material co-development and a certified manufacturer partner programme for PU-coated fabrics, promoting a new approach to value chain collaboration. As such, with pure waterborne PU technology and a rich expertise in application in the design and creation of PU-coated fabrics, Bayer inspires brands to explore new possibilities in the design and creation of PU-coated fabrics within their INSQIN service offering.
Bayer invented PU more than 75 years ago and leads the world in its textile-coating applications, cooperating with industry partners driving change. INSQIN presents a huge array of possibilities for the fashion industry, allowing fabrics to exceed design requirements and performance expectations in sportswear.
Global Head of Textile Coating at Bayer MaterialScience Nicholas Smith commented: "Today is an exciting and pivotal day for all textile-consuming industries, as we look ahead to an innovative and sustainable way of producing coated fabrics with INSQIN.
"Not only are we now able to join efforts with brand owners to shape a more productive innovation process, we are also contributing to a practical solution that addresses the ongoing battle between sustainability and scalability."
Interacting with brands
With state-of-the-art pilot-lines at dedicated laboratories in China and Germany, Bayer’s global team of textile experts is leading the world in new coated fabrics research and development, while the company will be will be addressing brand owners’ concerns regarding product design, manufacturing innovation and environmental performance as it works closely with brands.
Smith continued: "Our hope is that by interacting directly with brands as well as with manufacturers, we can reshape material innovation in the apparel and footwear industry. We are committed to reducing harmful effects on people and the environment, by enabling manufacturing that eliminates worker exposure to solvents and lowers resource consumption."
INSQIN enables the manufacture of a huge range of coated fabric to be carried out without solvent. The social and environmental benefits of waterborne PU technology are of particular importance to PU leather, which has been one of the largest sources of environmental and health hazards among all types of coated fabrics. Globally, more than four billion m sq of PU synthetic leather are manufactured per year to meet demand and China manufactures 90 per cent of this, putting a heavy strain on local ecosystems.
Moreover, worker exposure to solvents needs addressing and pollution risks have to be minimised.
"Sustainability goals will be hard to achieve if the industry continues to use the mainstream solvent-based processes to produce PU leather. INSQIN waterborne PU technology not only enables PU leather to be manufactured without solvent, it also reduces water consumption by up to 95 percent and energy consumption by up to 50 per cent in the coating process," said Bayer.