#Textile chemistry

2021-05-27

More sustainable products of proven high quality

The application focuses on waterborne PU dispersions with up to 50 percent biomass-based carbon content, reducing the carbon footprint accordingly but offering the same good quality as fossil-based raw materials. © Covestro

Increased use of circular raw materials thanks to INSQIN® waterborne PU technology

Moleskine® notebooks are replicas of the legendary notebook used by such notable people as Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, and Bruce Chatwin. Moleskine places great emphasis on more sustainable products and manufacturing processes and has already been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). For the covers of its classic notebooks, the company relies on Covestro’s advanced INSQIN® waterborne polyurethane (PU) technology for textile coating with partially bio-based raw materials. This will increase the use of alternative raw materials in the production of the PU synthetics covers.

This application focuses on waterborne PU dispersions with up to 50 percent biomass-based carbon content, reducing the CO2 footprint accordingly but offering the same good quality as fossil-based raw materials. The coating also features a premium look and feel – as befits the characteristic quality of these notebooks. Using INSQIN® technology, Moleskine® and Chinese PU synthetics material specialist Hexin are now able to produce partially bio-based coatings for hardcover and softcover notebooks.

On the path to more circularity

"We are partnering with Covestro to perfect these high-quality, low-solvent coatings for our classic Moleskine® notebook covers," says Daniela Riccardi, the company's Chief Executive Officer. "Covestro’s partially bio-based coating technology enables us to reduce our impact on the environment and improve our sustainability."

"Working with innovative partners like Moleskine® allows us to develop more sustainable materials," explains Dr. Torsten Pohl, global head of Textile Coating at Covestro. "With our new partially bio-based raw material, Covestro allows for a total of approximately 23 percent renewable carbon in this coating, which is in line with our vision to become fully circular."

For the covers of its classic notebooks, Moleskine® relies on Covestro's aqueous INSQIN® polyurethane (PU) technology for textile coating with partially bio-based raw materials. © Covestro

The project is part of a global strategic program with which Covestro is fully committed to the circular economy. That’s why the company is focusing on the use of alternative raw materials and renewable energy, the development of innovative recycling technologies, and collaboration with partners along the value chains.

Covestro, FILK Freiberg, and OUT e.V. develop flexible, conductive polymer smart textile system

As the smart textiles market continues to grow across healthcare, personal protection, sportswear, and automotive applications, developers are seeking new ways to integrate electronic functionality directly into textiles, without the rigidity and complexity of conventional wiring. To address this challenge, FILK Freiberg Institute, an independent research institution with expertise in polymer coatings for textile applications, collaborated with Optotransmitter-Umweltschutz-Technologie (OUT) e.V. The joint project, funded under the German Industrielle Gemeinschaftsforschung (IGF) program of the Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (BMWE), focused on developing flexible, conductive polymer surfaces for next-generation smart textiles.

Covestro to exhibit solutions for a more sustainable and productive textile industry at Techtextil 2026

Covestro will present a broad portfolio of material innovations for textile coatings, adhesive films and thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) at Techtextil 2026 (Hall 11.0, Booth C79). The exhibits will demonstrate how advanced solutions can enhance durability, recyclability and manufacturing efficiency across applications such as automotive, infrastructure, protective apparel and sportswear. A particular focus will be on more sustainable coating technologies, including antimicrobial systems based on INSQIN® in combination with AGXX from Heraeus Precious Metals, as well as the integration of Pontacol® thermoplastic adhesive films into Covestro’s offering.

Covestro showcases monomaterial concept in autonomous SUE People Mover

UE | STUDIOS has unveiled the fully autonomous electric minibus “Self-driving Urban E-Shuttle” (SUE), placing strong emphasis on sustainable material design. Developed within a project funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) and the European Union, the vehicle will begin public road testing this year. At the core of the concept is the consistent use of recyclable monomaterials to improve circularity at end of life.

Covestro and Heraeus Precious Metals collaborate to enable safer, more sustainable antimicrobial textile coatings

Laboratory tests reveal that AGXX antimicrobial surface technology from Heraeus Precious Metals is fully compatible with Impranil® PU dispersions which are part of the waterborne INSQIN® textile coating technology from Covestro, paving the way for more sustainable antimicrobial textile coatings. This discovery comes at a key moment for the textile coatings industry. As the sharing economy continues to grow, more people are coming into regular contact with high-use surfaces, creating ideal conditions for bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms to thrive.

SOKO presents low-impact denim finishing innovations at Denim PV Milan

SOKO will present a range of sustainable denim finishing technologies and collaborative projects at the upcoming Denim Première Vision Milan on 20–21 May in Milan. At booth G27 in Superstudio Più, the company will showcase new chemical solutions designed to combine fashionable denim effects with reduced environmental impact.

Mario Jorge Machado re-elected President of EURATEX

The EURATEX General Assembly has re-elected Mario Jorge Machado as President of EURATEX, renewing its confidence in his leadership at a crucial moment for the European textile and clothing industry. The sector is facing rising costs, global competitive pressure and an increasingly challenging transition towards sustainability and digitalisation.

ITM 2026 makes happy participants with its international and qualified visitor profile

ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition, one of the most prestigious meeting points of the textile machinery sector, attracted attention in its first three days, particularly with its diverse international visitor numbers. Industry professionals from all over the world had the opportunity to closely examine the latest technology machines and solutions displayed in operation. Thousands of visitors from approximately 100 countries, primarily Egypt, Pakistan, India, Uzbekistan, Syria, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, met at the Tüyap Fair and Congress Center for new investment and cooperation opportunities.

KARL MAYER presents a textile TEXTRONIC® innovation at ITM 2026

With highly efficient machines and continuous textile innovations, KARL MAYER underscores its role as a reliable partner for discerning top-tier customers. Just in time for ITM 2026 in Istanbul, the industry leader is introducing a true innovation: an eyelash lace with its characteristic fringed look – combined with a previously unattainable 4-way stretch. While the established fabric could until now only be produced as rigid version or with one-dimensional stretch, the new elasticity in both dimensions expands the possibilities for cross-band panel fabrics.