Bayer MaterialScience and bluesign technologies are joining forces for a sustainable textile industry and are planning to advance their initiative globally. The objective of this strategic alliance is to ensure safe production processes and working conditions along the entire value chain.

“Bayer MaterialScience has been supporting its customers for a long time now in achieving goals of both innovation and sustainability,” commented Nicholas Smith, Global Head of Textile Coating at Bayer MaterialScience.

“With our waterborne, totally solvent-free polyurethane raw materials, users currently can greatly improve industrial hygiene, cut energy consumption by 50%, and water use by as much as 95%.”

Commitment to sustainability

Bluesign technologies is a leader in evaluating the use of chemicals in the textile industry. The bluesign system defines criteria for chemicals use, including the responsible use of resources, effective hazardous materials management and the elimination of all dangerous substances.

Bayer MaterialScience recently set a milestone in innovative and sustainable textile coating with the introduction of INSQIN, an integrated and complete package for the textile industry based on waterborne polyurethane technology. The package encompasses all aspects of materials development, right through to production by certified manufacturers.

Bluesign database

The company has had the waterborne polyurethane dispersions in its Impranil line tested and certified under the bluesign system. Textile manufacturers in search of chemicals with bluesign certification can now find information on these products in the bluefinder database that currently has data on some 5,000 chemicals used in the industry.

“We are very pleased to welcome a worldwide leading raw materials supplier like Bayer MaterialScience as a bluesign systems partner,” said Peter Waeber, CEO.

“The company increases the range of certified substances that customers in the textile industry can use to achieve production operations that are compatible with both people and the environment. Bayer also supports our goal of further establishing the bluesign system as a global standard for a sustainable textile industry with the best possible consumer protection.”

Bluesign approved

The bluesign system gives consideration to substance lists with restricted use and advises manufacturers on how to minimize hazards to people and the environment.

By jointly using the system, participants can cut costs along the processing chain and meet new market demands more quickly. The bluesign approved label is accepted by both brand owners and major wholesalers.

Bayer MaterialScience

Bayer MaterialScience is a leading polymer company, which business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life.

The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction and the sports and leisure industries. At the end of 2013, Bayer MaterialScience had 30 production sites and employed approximately 14,300 people.

www.materialscience.bayer.com