automotive · usd 28,320 million in 2017, and is forecast to reach a 6.5% annual rate from 2018 to...

Informative Magazine, Nº 30

AUTOMOTIVEUPHOLSTERY

2019

UNEWS. Automotive upholstery

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UNEWS. Automotive upholstery, Nº 30

AUTOMOTIVE UPHOLSTERY

1. INTRODUCTION AND MARKET

2. WET END 2.1. Requirements 2.1.1. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) 2.1.2. Odor 2.1.3 Light fastness and heat resistance

2.2. Beamhouse products 2.2.1. Soaking products 2.2.2 Unhairing-liming products 2.2.3. Deliming-bating products

2.3. Retanning products

2.4. Fatliquoring products

3. FINISHING

INDEX

PRESENTACIÓNThe aim of this 30th issue of Unews is to show the products recommended by Cromogenia Units for automotive upholstery articles, from beamhouse to finishing stage, as well as the main requirements for these articles.

Designed, edited and published byCromogenia’s Leather Department

This bulletin is addressed to Technicians, Representatives, Customers and Friends who wish to stay updated with our new products and our progress.For more information or suggestions, please contact: [email protected]

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1. INTRODUCTION AND MARKET

While automotive leather has always been a very important part of the leather industry, in recent years it has also become one of the most advanced sectors on account of the high standards required, both in specifications and performance.

According to business consulting firm Grand View Research, the car interior sector was valued at USD 28,320 million in 2017, and is forecast to reach a 6.5% annual rate from 2018 to 2025.

In the overall car interior value, 55.31% and 44.69% correspond to leather and artificial substrate, respectively. Consequently, the demand for automotive leather was valued at USD 15,667.2 million in 2017, with a forecast of USD 24,652.7 million in 2025 (annual growth rate of 5.9%).(1)

The automotive leather revenue estimate is shown in Graph 1, with projected growth until 2025.

Graph 1. Automotive leather revenue, 2014-2025

In 2016, the automotive sector consumed between 15-18% of the total hides worldwide. This percentage is expected to increase up to 25% in 2020. This growth will be determined by Asia-Pacific emerging economies such as China and India, as a consequence of their increased GDP, revenue and governmental support, which would entail transferring automotive production to these countries.(1)

The evolution of the car interior market from 2018 to 2025, where the Asia-Pacific market shows the highest growth, is shown in Graph 2.

To be taken into account, however, is the growing demand for artificial and synthetic substrates, which are cheaper and easier to manufacture than leather; this could negatively affect the market.

Automotive leather is an ever evolving and growing market, always seeking to reach the highest standards. Currently, this industry focuses its efforts on improving the sustainability of its products and processes from an environmental, social and economic viewpoint.

Therefore, sustainability is a new challenge that must be faced by OEMs.

USD

MIL

LIO

N

26,000.0

19,500.0

13,000.0

6,500.0

02014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025

(1) Grand View Research

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1. Introduction

Graph 2. Region-based car interior market evolution, 2018-2025Source: Grand View Research

In itself, however, leather is a more sustainable product than synthetic materials or artificial substrates. Indeed, the latter originate from non-renewable raw materials, which are obviously less sustainable. On top of that, they also last less than leather articles. In its webpage leathernaturally.org, Leather Naturally proves this with 4 facts about leather:

1. Leather is a sustainable material

2. Almost any skin or hide can be used to make leather

3. Leather is unique in combining beauty, comfort and convenience

4. Skin/hide tanning is a modern, effective, safe process

Two types of tanning can be distinguished in the leather tanning process: wet blue and wet white. As opposed to wet blue tanned leathers, wet white or metal-free tanned leathers are more biodegradable because no chromium or other metals are used. They are therefore considered to be more sustainable substrates.

As far as requirements are concerned, auto upholstery articles are the most demanding articles of all leather articles produced. Some of these requirements are:

√ High heat resistance

√ Low content of volatile organic compounds (VOCs or FOGs)

√ VDA 270 odor test, seeking practically odorless leather

In finishing, the main tests are: the Taber test, the Martindale test and the ageing test or heat resistance test.

This 30th issue of Unews includes the products recommended by Cromogenia Units for automotive upholstery articles, as well as the main requirements of these articles.

USD

MIL

LIO

N

22,000.0

16,500.0

11,000.0

5,500.0

0Asia Pacific Central &

South America Middle East

& Africa

2018 2025

Europe North America

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2. WET END

2.1. Requirements

The specifications and requirements of automotive articles are the strictest in the industry. While each standard has its own specifications, some of the main tests and requirements are shown in Table 1.

Test Standard Requirement

Tensile strength ISO 3376IUP 6 ≥ 130 N

Elongation ISO 3376IUP 6 ≤ 60%

Tear load ISO 3377-1IUP 8 ≥ 20 N

Heat resistance ISO 17228 ≥ 3

Fogging ISO 17071IUP 46

Reflectometric > 85%Gravimetric < 3 mg

VOC/FOG VDA 278 VOC < 100 µg/gFOG < 200 µg/g

Odor VDA 270 ≤ 3

Acetaldehyde TSM 0508 G-aldehyde ≤ 0.6 mg

FormaldehydeISO 1ISO 17226-1IUC 19-1

≤ 3 ppm≤ 10 ppm

Chromium (III) ISO 5398-1IUC 8-1 ≥ 3%

Table 1. Main tests and requirements

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2. Wet End

The 3 main requirements are:

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Odor

Light fastness and heat resistance

Each of the above requirements, as well as the products recommended by Cromogenia Units to achieve the best results, is discussed more thoroughly below.

2.1.1. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are currently one of the most important requirements.

According to European regulations, VOCs are organic compounds with a vapor pressure of 0.01 kPa or more at 293.15K (20 ºC). That is, organic compounds that have a high vapor pressure at room temperature. Because some of these compounds are toxic to humans and affect the environment, they must be minimized or eliminated.

VOCs include different types of compounds, shown in Table 2.

Boiling point Definition Example

< 50 ºC Very Volatile Organic Compounds (VVOC)

Formaldehyde (-21 ºC)Acetaldehyde (20 ºC)

> 50 ºC< 260 ºC

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)

Benzene (80 ºC)Styrene (110 ºC)

> 260 ºC Semivolatile Organic Com-pounds (SVOC) Phthalates

Table 2. Volatile compounds

How are VOCs detected and quantified?

VOC emission control in the automotive industry started more than 20 years ago.

The fogging test was one of the first VOC control tests used and describes the evaporation of chemical substances, under the influence of heat, from the materials used for vehicle interiors. These substances condense on car glass and leave a cloudy layer called fogging.

The test consists in the following:

A previously dried leather sample is heated in a glass beaker. The evaporated substances condense on a glass plate (reflectometric fogging) or on aluminum foil (gravimetric fogging).

Gravimetric fogging determines the quantity of substances evaporated and condensed on aluminum foil under certain temperature and time conditions. The result is expressed in mg.

Reflectometric fogging determines, on a glass plate, the extent of fogging caused by the substances evaporated under certain temperature and time conditions. The result is expressed in %.

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2. Wet End

While the fogging test is currently required by OEMs, it is not without problems:

Gravimetric and reflectometric fogging do not always correlate

No information is available on the substances that cause fogging

No toxicological information is available

These and other reasons led the automotive industry to work on other tests to measure organic compounds in the leather, namely:

Odor

Headspace

Chamber test

The standards, principles and substances detected by some of these tests are shown in Table 3.

Test Principle Conditions Detected substances

ISO 17071 Fogging test 100 ºC, 3h100 ºC, 16h

Low-volatilitycompounds

VDA 278 Static headspace 120 ºC Semivolatilecompounds

VDA 276 Test chamber Cycles All substances

DIN 16000 Test chamber 23 ºC Very volatile compounds

VDA 270 Odor test Differenttemperatures -

GMW 3205 Odor test Differenttemperatures -

Table 3. VOC detection tests

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Wet End

Each of the above tests has its pros and cons, and each detects different substances. Consequently, the VOCs obtained with different methods cannot be compared.

In order to minimize volatile organic compounds, it is recommended to work with products that contain low amounts of these compounds. To ascertain this, each product must be thoroughly studied.

Two compounds are found in VOCs: formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. Both are very volatile and have their own requirements. In general, formaldehyde requires values ≤ 3 ppm (ISO 17226-3) or ≤ 10 ppm (ISO 17226-1), while acetaldehyde requires ≤ 0.6 mg (Table 1).

2.1.2. OdorThree compounds are most important in the odor test: sulfur derivatives, amine derivatives, and aldehydes.

The possible origin of each of the above compounds is:

Sulfur derivatives originate mainly from the Na2S used at the unhairing stage.

Amine derivatives originate from the degradation of collagen and the addition of amine compounds.

Aldehydes may originate from the degradation of natural fat or the degradation of the oils used throughout the process.

To minimize odor in the leathers it is recommended to start the beamhouse process with ECO UNHAIRING. This is an enzymatic process where the amount of sulfide is reduced, thus reducing the possibility of formation of compounds that contain sulfur. These compounds have a strong, penetrating smell and are detrimental to the odor test values. Also, the product DECALIM S/S can be added to remove sulfide traces in the unhairing bath. DECALIM S/S is an oxidative product and is able to oxidize sulfide, thus reducing odor in leathers and production plants.

At the pickling-tanning stage it is recommended to tan with RETANAL SCT, a product that reduces salt at pickling, eliminates sulfuric acid, and reduces pickling time. RETANAL SCT allows a lower degradation of the protein and therefore less VOCs likely to produce smelly leathers.

Regarding the oils used throughout the process, it is recommended to use fatliquoring polymers or synthetic oils, these being products that are less prone to degradation and aldehyde formation.

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2. Wet End

The products recommended for odor minimization in leathers are shown in Table 4.

Process Product Description Chemical composition Properties

BeamhouseTanning

RIBERZYM ECO C

Unhairing and liming auxiliary

Keratase-based enzymatic composition

Reduces sulfide amount at unhairing

DECALIM S/S

Unhairing and liming auxiliary Oxidant Eliminates sulfide from

residual baths

CELESAL K 7 Degreasing agent Ethoxylated fatty alcohol Degreasing

Tanning RETANAL SCT

Pickling without sulfuric acid

Non-swelling organic acid Pickle-free process

Fatliquoring

UNIX UP

Polymeric synthetic oil

Acrylic polymer with softening additives

Light leathers and excellent fastness

RETANAL PR 199/6

Retanning/Fatliquoring polymer

Acrylic polymer with special additives Fullness and softness

Table 4. Odor-diminishing products

2.1.3. Light fastness and heat resistanceHeat resistance is currently one of the strictest requirements in car interior articles.

According to standard IUF 412 - ISO 17228, the leather sample is aged at different temperatures and time periods depending on the article to be treated.

The strictest conditions are used in auto upholstery: the sample is kept for 400 hours at 102 ºC and the requirement is ≥ 3 in the gray scale (scale 1-5).

Light fastness follows standard IUF 402, which consists in accelerating the ageing of the sample under xenon lamp and further assessing color change in the blue scale (scale 1-8). The requirement is also ≥ 3.

Non-oxidizable products having both retanning and fatliquoring power must be used to obtain good heat resistance values.

Some of the products recommended by Cromogenia Units to achieve good heat resistance and light fastness values are shown in Table 5.

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2. Wet End

Process Product Description Chemical composition Properties

Oils

UNIX UP

Polymeric synthetic oil

Acrylic polymer with softening additives Light, tight leathers

FOSFOL AUT 09 Sulfited oil Natural and synthetic

oils High softness

FOSFOL AUT C 3 Sulfited oil Fish sulfited oil High tear load. High

softness

FOSFOL ST-AW

Eco-friendly sulfited oil

Natural and synthetic oils

High softness and high exhaustion. Sustainable product

FOSFOL CL Non-ionic oil Lecithin High softness and feel

Synthetic and sulfones

RETANAL A 75

Synthetic retanning product Sulfone Fullness and softness

RETANAL PNB Compound Phenolic Increased tear load

RETANAL SDA/2

Synthetic retanning product Anionic compound High filling power

RETANAL SUL

Synthetic retanning product Sulfone Fullness and softness

RETANAL XS

Synthetic retanning product Sulfone Can replace vegetable

tanning agents

RETANAL XBS

Synthetic retanning product Sulfone Fullness, white and

softness

Acrylic resins

RETANAL CLE

Polymeric retanning product Acrylic resin High fullness

RETANALRC 200

Polymeric retanning product Acrylic resin Fullness and tightness

RETANAL RST

Polymeric retanning product Styrene maleic resin Excellent milling

RETANAL ST-AA

Polymeric retanning product Acrylic resin Fullness and tightness.

Sustainable product

Table 5. Products with high fastnesses

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2.2. Beamhouse products

2.2.1 Soaking

In automotive upholstery, just like in any type of article, appropriate soaking is paramount. Leathers must be well soaked at around pH=9.5. Indeed, as of this pH, leather swelling at the alkaline area is much stronger. This would cause wrinkling, even strangle the hair root, and possibly lead to hair root problems. Also, it is recommended not to exceed a temperature of 24-26 ºC in long soakings or 26-28 ºC in short soakings to prevent blind grain. This is why an effective bactericidal agent should be added at this stage.

The composition and a brief description of the properties of each product recommended by Cromogenia Units for the soaking stage are shown in Table 6.

Product Description Chemical composition Properties

ASEPTANTE DMC Bactericidal agent Dimethyldithiocarbamate

in aqueous solutionBactericidal agent for soaking

CELESAL CN Wetting agent Non-ionic surfactant Strong wetting action in

soaking. Biodegradable

HUMECTOLRAPID Wetting agent Alkaline composition

with enzymes More effective soakings

VERDITAN CV

Soaking and unhairing auxiliary Hydrosolubilizing agent Minimizes blood veins

Table 6. Products recommended for soaking

2. Wet End

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2.2.2. Unhairing-liming products

At this stage, the leathers for automotive articles must:

Be clean and wrinkle-free

Have low odor

At the unhairing stage, clean and wrinkle-free leathers should be obtained to ensure the quality of the article. To this end, Cromogenia Units recommends antiwrinkle auxiliary products such as RIBERSAL TD or VERDITAN CV (the latter already cited for soaking).

The compositions and main characteristics of these products are shown in Table 7.


RIBERSAL TD Unhairing auxiliary Reducing substances Amine-free antiwrinkle

VERDITAN CV


Table 7. Auxiliary products for clean, wrinkle-free leathers

RIBERSAL TD and VERDITAN CV contribute to better leather cleaning, to wrinkle opening and minimization, and to maximum reduction of blood veins.

On the other hand, sulfide compounds can be very volatile and have a very strong, penetrating smell. As already discussed, reducing the use of sulfide is important to obtain good results in the odor test. The formation of sulfide compounds, which are responsible for the foul smell of leathers, is thus reduced. In addition, Na2S in acidic medium can lead to the formation of H2S, a highly toxic product that is lethal at low doses and must be avoided whenever possible.

To avoid leather odor and reduce the pollutant load of the beamhouse process, it is recommended to use Cromogenia Units’ ECO UNHAIRING process with enzymatic product RIBERZYM ECO C. This allows reducing sulfide content in both the bath and the leather. It is also recommended to add DECALIM S/S at the end of the process. This is an oxidative product which, applied at the end of the unhairing bath process, oxidizes the traces of sulfide in both the bath and the leather, thus reducing odor in both the leather and the production plant.

The products recommended by Cromogenia Units for ECO UNHAIRING are shown in Table 8.

2. Wet End

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AUTOMOTIVE UPHOLSTERYProduct Description Chemical composition Properties

RIBERZYM ECO C

Unhairing and liming auxiliary

Keratase-based enzymatic composition

Reduces sulfide amount at unhairing

VERDITAN CV


DEFAT 50

Degreasing auxiliary

Lipase-based enzymatic composition Hydrolyzes triglycerides

CELESAL BE 50 Unhairing auxiliary Anionic surfactant Emulsifies natural fat in

liming baths

DECALIM S/S Unhairing auxiliary Oxidative compounds Eliminates sulfides from

residual baths

DESLIZANTE LB Sliding product Acrylic copolymer Facilitates leather sliding

inside the drum

Table 8. Products for the ECO UNHAIRING process

Adding a lipase-based product, such as DEFAT 50, is recommended at this point to obtain fat-free hair and thus favor the action of enzyme RIBERZYM ECO C.

If necessary, a natural fat emulsifier such as CELESAL BE 50 can also be added. Fat would thus remain in the bath and be eliminated more easily.

Also, a sliding product is recommended to prevent grain rubbing inside the drum.

2.2.3. Deliming-bating products

Most importantly, using products that contain ammonium salts should be avoided at the deliming stage. Indeed, these products can affect the reflectometric fogging values and the odor test. The products based on ammonium salts can lead to volatile compounds that reduce reflectometric fogging, cause odor, and may decrease the odor test values.

This is why deliming with products without ammonium salts, such as DESENCALANTE SE 01 or DESENCALANTE NB, is recommended. The latter product has the advantage of being deprived of boric acid —a pollutant for plants and trees.

Cromogenia Units also recommends adding an antiwrinkle auxiliary product, DECALIM PLUS, to improve leather opening and minimize wrinkling.

At the bating stage, it is recommended to use a protease enzyme such as the TRIPSOL range, together with an elastase enzyme to remove elastin traces and minimize blood veins.

The products recommended for the deliming stage are shown in Table 9.

2. Wet End

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DESENCALANTE SE 01 Deliming agent Combination of organic

acidsProduct devoid of ammonium salts

DESENCALANTE NB Deliming agent Combination of organic

acidsProduct devoid of ammo-nium salts and boric acid

DECALIM PLUS Deliming auxiliary Protein derivatives Open leather minimizes

wrinkling

TRIPSOL RSTP Bating product Protease Square, smooth leathers

VERDITAN EL Bating auxiliary Elastase Minimizes blood veins

Table 9. Deliming products

2.3. Retanning products

Retanning products mainly affect light fastness and heat resistance. This is why a good knowledge of the products used at this stage is important. In general, retanning products do not directly affect the fogging values, except if they contain impurities or free monomers that could have a negative effect. Free monomers and other volatile components can also affect the odor test and the VOC test.

Because retanning products of the phenol and sulfone family may contain formaldehyde, they should be closely controlled. Indeed, the requirement of formaldehyde in auto leather is very strict (generally < 10 ppm).

Cromogenia Units offers a range of retanning products from different families (phenols, sulfones, acrylics) that meets the above requirements.

Some of these products, with their composition and main characteristics, are shown in Table 10.

2. Wet End

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AUTOMOTIVE UPHOLSTERYProduct Description Chemical composition Properties

RETANAL A 75

Synthetic retanning product Sulfone/naphthalene Fullness and softness

RETANAL AFF

Synthetic retanning product Amphoteric sulfone Fullness, grain tightness,

color intensity

RETANAL XD

Synthetic retanning product Sulfone Fullness and fastness

RETANAL XS

Synthetic retanning product Sulfone Replaces vegetable tanning

RETANAL PNB

Synthetic retanning product Phenolic syntan Increased tear load

RETANAL CAU

Polymeric retanning product Acrylic polymer Soft and tight articles

RETANAL CLE

Polymeric retanning product Acrylic polymer Selective fullness without

surface decrease

RETANAL PAM

Polymeric retanning product Acrylic polymer Uniform grain in milled

articles

RETANAL RC 200

Polymeric retanning product Acrylic polymer Fullness and tightness

RETANAL ST-AA

Polymeric retanning product Acrylic resin Tightness and good milling

properties

Table 10. Retanning products

2. Wet End

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2.4. Fatliquoring products

When selecting oils for automotive upholstery, three main requirements must be taken into account: fogging test, fastnesses, and odor.

As previously discussed, the fogging test consists in having the sample undergo a given temperature for a given period of time and measuring the low volatility compounds in two different ways. Firstly by measuring weight (gravimetric fogging) and secondly by measuring the light passing through a glass (reflectometric fogging). Because oils are the products that mostly affect fogging values, they must be thoroughly studied.

Concerning fastnesses, it is recommended to use non-oxidizable products or products treated for minimum oxidation.

Finally, oils also greatly affect the odor test because oil breakdown can lead to the formation of aldehydes, which are very volatile compounds with strong, pungent, penetrating odors that provide low values in the odor test.

Also, oils can contain volatile compounds that affect VOC tests such as VDA 278 - VOC and FOG analysis. These compounds must be controlled and minimized or eliminated from the fatliquoring products.

Cromogenia Units offers a range of oils designed to meet the above requirements.

The main fatliquoring products offered by Cromogenia Units are shown in Table 11.


FOSFOL AUT C 3 Sulfited oil Deodorized fish oil Excellent penetration

FOSFOL AUT 09 Sulfited oil Natural oils and

phospholipids Softness and fullness

FOSFOL DF 20 Sulfited oil Natural sulfoesters Penetration and tight grain

FOSFOL CL Lecithin Emulsified lecithin Softness and silky feel

RETANAL PR 199/6 Polymer Acrylic copolymer Fullness and tightness

UNIX UP

Polymeric fatliquoring agent

Acrylic polymer and softening additives

Softness, fullness and tightness

Table 11. Fatliquoring products

2. Wet End

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In recent years, the growing demand of the automotive market has led to an increased global consumption of leathers for car interior finishing.

Basically, these leathers can be classified into two categories: seat preparation and steering wheel preparation.

Both markets require Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to provide factory operators with already cut sections of leather, preferably already assembled to be placed in car interiors. Before placing, however, each part must comply with the specific standards of each manufacturer and follow the determinations required for each test.

OEM projects require a longer development as compared to other finished leather lines such as footwear, leather goods, furniture, etc. This longer development is due to the high requirements for product certification and further continuity in terms of the results obtained and required by each assembly company. Indeed, each assembly company requires a select group of tests and requirements for the approval of the leathers provided. These tests and requirements can vary internally depending on the type of leather and the project it is devised for.

Automotive leather markets can be classified according to characteristics, requirements, physical tests required or final appearance of the article. Three markets can be roughly established: the American market, the European market and the Asian market (mainly composed of Korean and Japanese products, and lately also Chinese products).

In order to meet the high standards required for OEM automotive finished leather goods, a few key parameters must be taken into account prior to commencing work. Only this way will good results be obtained.

Three key conditions can be underlined in these parameters:

Article wanted, esthetic appearance, required physical tests, and price

Type of crust to be used in the article (full grain, buffed leather, chrome-tanned leather, chrome-free leather)

Location and conditions of the factory where leathers will be made (climatic conditions, available machinery)

In automotive leather finishing, in-depth knowledge of and strict compliance with the regulations governing the test requirements are essential, always bearing in mind that each OEM has its own set of specific tests.

3. FINISHING

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3. Finishing

Some of the regulations to be considered for the appropriate tests are listed below:

TEST RULE

Rubbing fastness (dry, wet, sweat)

DIN EN ISO 11640; IUF 454; GMW 14125 (Linear Abrasion Tester); DIN 53339

Abrasion resistance (crockmeter test)

DIN EN ISO 105-X12; DIN EN ISO 20433; AATCC 8; ASTM D 5053

Sweat resistance, resistance to transpiration

DIN EN ISO 11641; DIN EN ISO 105-E04;DIN EN ISO 53160-1; MS-JK-4000; GMW 14296; BMW AA-N 061; BMW AA 0567; BMW PA-N 128

Light fastness test DIN EN ISO 105-B02; DIN EN ISO 105-B05; DIN EN ISO 11643; DIN 54004

Hot light fastness, hot light ageing

VDA 75202; DIN EN ISO 105-B06; VDA 230-216; PV 1303; DIN 75202

Resistance to insect repellent DIN EN ISO 11640; GMW 14074

Abrasive wear properties (taber test)

DIN EN ISO 17076-1; DIN EN 14327; DIN 53109; VW TL 52064; SAE J 948; ASTM D 3884; ASTM D 7255; BMW PA-N 106; GMW 3208; MS 300-32; FLTM BN 108-02

Abrasive wear properties (martindale test)

DIN EN ISO 17076-2 (Kugelplatte); DIN EN ISO 12947; DIN EN ISO 17704; DIN EN ISO 20344; VDA 230-211; BMW AA 0412; BMW AA-N 070

Hydrolysis aging VDA 230-208; BMW AA 0420; BMW AA-N 073; BMW TL 9169300

Heat aging, heat resistance VW TL 52064; DBL 5310; TM 900600; TM 900400; GMW 14124; AK LV 111

Shrinking behaviour(climate change test)

DIN EN ISO 17130; DIN EN ISO 17227; VW TL 52064; PV 1200; PTL 5202; PPV 5002; DBL 5310; BMW PA-N 123; BMW PA-N 129; BMW AA-N 059; BMW AA-N 062; BMW AA 0565; AK LV 111; GMW 4217; GMW 14124

Shrinkage temperature DIN EN ISO 3380; ASTM D 6076; DIN 53336

Cold crack temperature DIN EN ISO 17233; TM 900700; IUP 29; GMW 14127; DIN 53361

Table 12. Automotive upholstery finishing regulations

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Cromogenia Units’ range for automotive leather finishing

Cromogenia Units’ expertise in the manufacturing of chemicals for the leather market has allowed it to develop a specific range of OEM automotive leather finishing products that meets the highest technical requirements of this demanding market. Also, Cromogenia Units is devoted to seek more eco-friendly raw materials and apply sustainability concepts to the development of its products, such as avoiding restrictive substances or VOC emissions.

Some of the finishing product lines in this market are outlined below:

Unicryl CA range: high performance acrylic resins with good performance for bottoms and coverage and very low VOC indexes.

Regel UBC and UAC range: a range of bottom and coverage polyurethanes including high-performance products that meet the highest standards of the market. This range of products meets the high environmental and sustainability standards required by the automotive leather market.

Regel UTC range: a range of high-performance products for auto tops, featuring excellent fastness properties and meeting the strictest standards of the automotive market, both in mechanical impact testing (e.g., Taber, flexes, leaks) and in tests where the climatic and environmental requirements are more present (e.g., hydrolysis, light fastness, and heat resistance).

These new ranges strengthen Cromogenia Units’ position as a company certified to supply quality products that meet the strictest standards of the leather finishing market worldwide.

3. Finishing

Zona FrancaCalle 40 núm. 14 – 1608040 BARCELONATel. +34 93 432 94 00 / +34 93 447 98 00Fax +34 93 422 60 14 / +34 93 447 98 [email protected]

automotive · usd 28,320 million in 2017, and is forecast to reach a 6.5% annual rate from 2018 to...

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