Abstract

Legislation is to become effective in the Federal Republic of Germany which will restrict or almost entirely prohibit the emission of solvents in leather production. This will affect the finishing of leather, and top coats in particular. The demands of consumers, who expect the quality of leather to rise continuously, with uninterrupted improvement of physical fastness properties, would appear to be in conflict with this development. The opportunities offered by polyurethane chemistry for solving this dilemma are described.