Project
Guinea: biodegradable PU coatings for textiles and leather (Guinea)
Industry working with PU needs nowadays to overcome various challenges: comply with REACH, the VOC directive, workplace exposure limits, labels such as OEKO-TEX® and obtain an environmental permit. Consumers are thinking more sustainable and “greener” and are getting more aware of plastic waste and microplastics in the environment. Therefore, companies are confronted with the market question to use biodegradable materials. Due to PUs low susceptibility to physical, chemical and biological factors, and toxicity of some of the combustion products, landfilling is still the most common way to process PU waste. Additionally, legislative changes such as modification of Directive 1999/31/EC about landfilling by the European Commission have a great impact. According to the revised regulations after 1 January 2015, only 25% of municipal waste in comparison to the previous year can be deposited in the landfill, and since 1 January 2030 this amount will not exceed 5%.The development of biodegradable PU will help the companies to shift to an ecofriendly and sustainable industry and give the companies advantage towards competitors outside of Europe.
Aim of the projectThe aim of Guinea is (1) degrading commercial waterborne PU dispersions (PUD) used for textile and leather coating and (2) developing degradable PUD.
These coatings are desirable for leather in order to increase the biodegradability of coated leathers and therefore ease waste treatment and minimise environmental impact.
For textiles, biodegradability of coatings is advantageous in two scenarios:
- Minimising environmental pollution while usage of the textile (avoiding persistent microplastic formed by abrasion)
- Increase recyclability of coated polyester or polyamide garments, when the coating could be selectively removed by enzymatic attack
Centexbel (Belgium), FILK e.V., (global coordinator, Germany) will be responsible for the management and dissemination of the results. Centexbel and FILK will perform the research.
Target group
coating/finishing companies (textile and leather)
producers of PU, additives and enzymes
producers of ready-to-use PU formulations