New Eastman Technology Enables Continuous Water Recycling in Microfiber Modification
KINGSPORT, TN (April 10, 2008) -- Baiksan Lintex Corporation has chosen Eastman Chemical Company’s new EastONE™ S122 copolyester for the next generation of its eco-friendly synthetic leather brand, Cleanoble-E1.
Cleanoble is a high-end continuous strand microfiber synthetic leather product, unique to the industry. The continuous microfibers not only allow the finished product to emulate the look and feel of real premium leather, they also provide superior strength and durability.
The EastONE™ family of products are water-dispersible, melt-processable copolyesters which enable production of microfiber fabrics via islands-in-the-sea and other bicomponent fiber configurations.
Combined with EastONE™ technology, these unique copolyesters enable the microfibers to be released via a simple water wash instead of a harsh chemical treatment process. Further adding to the goals of a more environmentally friendly and sustainable synthetic leather manufacturing process, the EastONE™ polymer can be fully recovered for secondary uses and the wash water can be continuously recycled.
The EastONE™-enabled process, combined with water-borne leather coatings on Baiksan’s continuous strand microfiber nonwoven process, enables the company to retain its industry leadership in environmental responsibility.
South Korea-based Baiksan specializes in nonwoven fabric manufacturing, producing a diverse product portfolio for the consumer, homecare, industrial, automotive, diaper, feminine hygiene, and medical markets. Cleanoble synthetic leathers are ideal for transportation, athletic, and home-furnishing end-use applications.
“Baiksan is committed to the sustainable processes and products that our customers continue to demand,” says Han-Sung Kim, Baiksan’s President. “Our newest Cleanoble synthetic leathers are the latest demonstration of our sustainability in action.”
EastONE™ enabling products and technology are engineered to work on multiple nonwoven process platforms, including spunbond and wetlaid, to produce strong, durable, lightweight microfiber fabrics which provide significant end-use benefits in multiple applications such as filtration media and textile fabrics.
“Leading synthetic leather manufacturers like Baiksan are increasingly concerned with sustainability, and EastONE™ enables them to make tremendous strides with respect to environmental responsibility,” says Todd Williams, nonwovens global industry leader for Eastman.
EastONE™ S122 joins Eastman’s broad portfolio of industry-leading solutions for the nonwovens industry, including EastONE™ S85030, resins for hygiene adhesives, polyesters and copolyesters, Eastoflex™ polyolefins, cellulose ester functional polymers, and solvents.
