Waterborne polyurethane brings functionality to textiles
Covestro
Waterborne polyurethane coatings (photo) bring a range of functionalities, effects, finishes and color to textile materials for textile applications ranging from fashion and sportswear to automotive upholstery and protective gloves. This company’s family of waterborne polyurethane coatings and services (available under its brands Impranil, Imprafix, Impraperm and Insinq), help the textile industry to create waterproof, polyurethane-coated textiles that combine both decorative and functional attributes. One example is Imprafix 2784, a crosslinker that activates at very low temperatures, enabling its use even on temperature-sensitive substrates such as polyamide-based knitwear. Another family of products, Impranil eco, consists of a series of bio-based polyurethane dispersions (PUD) that contain up to 65% renewable carbon; it is said to be an environmentally friendly option that can match the performance levels of the conventional PUD with minimal reformulation. The company works with textile manufacturers to develop advanced processes, helping them to expand the range of applications that can benefit from these functional coatings. — Covestro LLC, Pittsburgh, Pa.