Water-Based Polyurethane Resin For Leather Finishing With Soft Touching

1.Environmental and safety profile • water based polyurethane binder is supplied as a polyurethane dispersion in water, so the formulation contains little or no organic solvent. This makes the polyurethane emulsion non-flammable and almost odor-free, cutting VOC emissions to well below 50 g L⁻¹ in most cases. • Operators no longer need explosion-proof spray booths or solvent recovery plants, so the polyurethane resin helps tanners meet REACH, ZDHC and brand-restricted-substance lists with minimal investment. 2.Film performance and “hand” • The same polyurethane binder can be engineered with soft and hard segments, allowing the resulting polyurethane resin film to be both flexible and highly abrasion-resistant. • After drying, the polyurethane emulsion forms a microporous yet continuous coating; the leather retains its natural breathability while gaining water- and stain-repellency. • Cross-linkable grades—where a polycarbodiimide is post-added to the polyurethane dispersion—deliver wet-rub resistance above 500 cycles (DIN EN ISO 11640) without stiffening the grain. 3.Process flexibility • Because the polyurethane emulsion is already dispersed, it can be diluted with de-ionised water and sprayed, roll-coated or curtain-coated without additional reducers. • A cationic polyurethane dispersion makes an excellent first “tie-coat,” anchoring strongly to the anionic leather surface; an anionic polyurethane binder can then be applied as a top-coat without delamination. • Clean-up requires only warm water and soap, so downtime between color changes is minimal. 4.Cost-in-use and versatility • The same polyurethane resin family is available in high-solids (40–50 %) or ready-to-use low-viscosity grades, letting the tanner optimize mileage and line speed. • Matte or gloss, full grain or corrected grain, automotive or fashion—one water based polyurethane binder platform can be tuned by solids, particle size and cross-link density to fit every article. 5.Regulatory and brand compliance • Major chemical suppliers now offer polyurethane dispersion grades certified to OEKO-TEX, GOTS and LWG protocols, ensuring that the polyurethane emulsion itself, as well as the finished leather, passes stringent brand audits.