PROSSIMAPELLE, Klf Tecnokimica a new range under in the name of metal-free and bio

“At this exhibition,” explained Paolo Bertelli, Technical Sales, whom we interviewed during the event, “we presented a new range of articles developed with organic products, i.e. derived from proteins, and metal-free, proposing an alternative sustainable organic tanning. The same articles were proposed using products with a low bisphenol content: as a company, we are producers of oils, fatliquors and the entire range of technical polymers, and for some time now we have been researching synthetic tannins with a low bisphenol content and partially replacing them with polymers, a forced choice that is putting the entire industry in a bit of difficulty. This small ‘chemical revolution’ is still in its early stages and the search for various alternatives for all technical fields where classic synthetic tannins with a significant bisphenol content were previously used. This is the reason for our daily work that sees us engaged in the study of alternatives, including polymeric alternatives and therefore new technologies. In particular, our attention has turned to co-polymers, which we presented at this edition of ProssimaPelle, as they are ‘constructed’ with two different polymers to increase their filling and softness characteristics, instead of the classic acrylic homo-polymer that is very often used in tanneries. From a technological point of view we are trying to propose different but above all innovative solutions’.
In this period, chemical companies are called upon to support tanneries, which is why KLF Tecnokimica has intensified its research and development activities in recent years. “From an industrial point of view,” adds the technician from the Tuscan company, “this is nevertheless a stimulating period, due to the need to proceed along a new path, with important choices. Undoubtedly this is a turning point for the chemical sector, with tanneries that need to be supported and helped. In particular, they need more continuous support, because those articles that they used to make with synthetic tannins and are now outside the required limits, oblige them to find valid alternatives, obviously in a quick time frame, to continue producing that article. Our goal and aim for them is not only to solve their problems, which are almost a daily occurrence, but also to propose something new. Honestly, this is a period where there is less work and even the tanneries don’t always know what to do.
‘In this certainly atypical situation,’ Bertelli concludes, ‘it can happen that if you propose some new project or idea, however attractive and interesting, sometimes there is a bit of suspicion. In other words, the entire sector is going through a difficult time, but the world is not standing still, better times will come when there will be greater demand, given that leather is not an easily replaceable product due to all the peculiar and unique characteristics it possesses. We are sure that there will be a recovery, so we must be ready to propose solutions. In any case, this has made us change our mindset, since tanneries, signatures and everything that revolves around leather need products that are more sustainable, more ecological and also more attentive to the recycling of existing raw materials’.

www.klftecnokimica.it

Paolo Bertelli, Technical Sales