#Textile chemistry

2021-07-29

Huntsman develops new IROGRAN® TPU grade for laminating technical textiles

Technical textile producers manufacturing high performance fabrics for outdoor clothing and other consumer and industrial applications now have a brand-new thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) at their disposal – thanks to global chemical company Huntsman. IROGRAN® A 85 P 4394 HR TPU is a highly versatile elastomer, which can be easily extruded and added to nylon and polyester materials to give them a protective, durable, waterproof layer.

IROGRAN® A 85 P 4394 HR TPU is designed for use in the manufacture of performance garments that need to shield wearers against the elements while they experience outdoor adventures. Added to fabrics, as an extruded film, IROGRAN® A 85 P 4394 HR TPU can give items of clothing, such as raincoats, a highly durable finish, combined with a soft touch.

With a high tensile strength, extruded films made from IROGRAN® A 85 P 4394 HR TPU can aid the stretch and recovery of the materials they are used on – increasing their longevity. This special TPU grade also offers good levels of abrasion and tear resistance, making it ideal for use in bladder applications, in the manufacture of tension fabrics and in industrial textile applications.

As well as delivering significant performance benefits, IROGRAN® A 85 P 4394 HR TPU offers considerable processing advantages over traditional textile laminating TPUs. With a high melt strength, IROGRAN® A 85 P 4394 HR TPU is very stable during production. Tolerant to high forces in its melted, blown state, extruded films made from IROGRAN® A 85 P 4394 HR TPU are far less likely to break during processing. This enables manufacturers to improve production throughput and lower scrap rates, which in turn reduces waste and keeps costs down.

Trent Shidaker, Global Marketing Director, Elastomers at Huntsman, explains more: “Our team has extensive experience in the development of TPUs for textile lamination. IROGRAN® A 85 P 4394 HR TPU takes our work in this sector to the next level. Developed in close cooperation with several of our textile customers, this new TPU grade offers significant improvements over previous generation technologies when it comes to durability, production efficiency and reducing manufacturing waste. The customers we’ve approached to discuss this TPU get really excited when we tell them that we’ve managed to enhance the properties of the grade in its melted state, without compromising any of the key final performance attributes expected of our IROGRAN® materials. We see extensive opportunities for this grade across a range of textile laminating applications and are already getting lots of enquiries from potential customers worldwide.”

Depending on the end-application, films made from IROGRAN® A 85 P 4394 HR TPU can be engineered to have different surface finishes, including gloss, smooth and matte effects.

IROGRAN® A 85 P 4394 HR TPU is the latest addition to a well-established family of elastomer products from Huntsman, which are renowned for their performance in textile applications.

IROGRAN® A 85 P 4394 HR TPU is made at Huntsman Polyurethanes elastomers manufacturing facility in Ringwood Illinois.

Huntsman and Steitz Secura deliver breakthrough in sustainable safety footwear

Huntsman, in collaboration with Steitz Secura, has developed a breakthrough polyurethane (PU) solution that can help improve the circularity of safety footwear. Together, the two companies have created a DALTOPED® polyurethane midsole system that can incorporate recycled content without compromising performance – setting a new benchmark in protective footwear production.

Huntsman secures bluesign® APPROVED status for IROGRAN® TPU products

Global chemical company Huntsman has secured bluesign® approval for ten of its IROGRAN® thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) products, which are used extensively across the textile and apparel industry. The materials in question are part of Huntsman’s IROGRAN® film and sheet portfolio, and can be used to enhance the production, performance, and comfort of stitchless, seamless garments including underwear, sportswear, and outdoor and waterproof clothing.

BASF at Techtextil 2026: Helping to shape the future of the textile industry with tangible solutions

At the leading international trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens from April 21 to 24, 2026 at the Messe Frankfurt, BASF will present numerous solutions and new projects in the textile sector to customers and partners at booth B 68 in hall 11.0. The focus is on product innovations and future-oriented technologies.

CHT Group to showcase intelligent specialty chemical solutions at Techtextil 2026

At this year's Techtextil 2026 in Frankfurt am Main, the CHT Group will be presenting its comprehensive portfolio of tailor-made specialty chemicals and process solutions for technical textiles. As a reliable partner to the global textile industry, the company offers innovative products and in-depth technical expertise across all areas of the textile value chain – from pretreatment, dyeing, and printing to finishing, coating, and fiber auxiliaries.

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.

Lenzing commissions 14 MW power‑to‑heat facility, strengthening grid stability and heat management

The Lenzing Group has successfully commissioned a new power‑to‑heat (P2H) facility with an electrical capacity of 14 megawatts. The installation converts renewable electricity directly into process heat, is fully integrated into the existing heat network at the industrial site, and represents a key building block for a fossil‑free heat supply. As project partner, VERBUND was responsible for the energy‑market integration and will operate the facility for balancing energy marketing, enabling it to respond flexibly to short‑term fluctuations in the power grid.

Kraig Biocraft reaches next step in production growth

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. (OTCQB: KBLB) (“the Company”, “Kraig Labs”, or “Kraig’s”), a world leader in spider silk technology*, today announced that it has produced more than 1.3 metric tons of recombinant spider silk cocoons in a single month. This is a new world record and shatters the Company’s previous production record by a factor of five. Today marks a pivotal step forward in the transition of spider silk from laboratory innovation to an industrial-scale material platform.

ASGLAWO group with new products at Techtextil 2026 in Frankfurt

The ASGLAWO group, with its two companies ASGLAWO technnofibre GmbH and Form- und Technik engineering GmbH, is pleased to present its latest developments in the field of technical textiles and nonwovens at the leading international trade fair Techtextil 2026. The fair, taking place from April 21 to 24, 2026, is the international meeting place for innovations in the textile industry.

Hohenstein publishes 2025 Sustainability Report

The testing and research service provider Hohenstein has published its latest sustainability report, outlining key progress and strategic initiatives. The report focuses on ambitious CO₂ reduction targets, the company’s new mission statement and the systematic expansion of sustainable services for customers worldwide.