Some trends last forever. High-gloss leathers
produced with Baygen® lacquers, for example, have inspired
fashion designers in Paris, Milan and Hong Kong time and time
again over the last few decades. Originally introduced in the
mid-fifties to replace the outmoded linseed oil technique, Bayer
AG's high-tech polyurethane lacquer systems – like all other Bayer
products for the leather industry from tanning materials to finish
products – have been continually adapted to meet market
requirements and give fashion designers increased scope for
creativity. Bayer is ready to meet the challenges of the coming
season, too, with a comprehensive, tailor-made range of leather
chemicals, finishing agents and, above all, components for high
performance polyurethane lacquers. The latest example is Baygen®
Hardener LR, a lightfast product which is ideal for producing the
pastel-colored patent leathers which are a feature of next season's
fashions.
Following the flashy signal colors which dominated the scene last
year, the mood this coming season will be somewhat quieter again.
Garish effects have given way to subdued color messages such as
are received by the eye in a bright, sunlit room. Light and pastel
shades will brighten up the greyness of everyday life with some
rays of sunshine. These colors place special demands on the
lacquers used: they must be exceptionally lightfast and have no
tendency to yellowing. Lightfast Baygen® Hardener LR, which
Bayer will be presenting at this year's Asia Pacific Leather Fair, is
particularly suitable for the cheerful colors of the coming season.
This product is a lightfast, isocyanate-based crosslinking agent for
two-component Baygen patent finishes. It has a fastness to xenon
light of 4 to 5, which is about two to three points higher than
conventional hardeners.
But this is not the only new member of the Baygen lacquer family
which the Bayer delegation has packed for this year's trip to Hong
Kong. The leather experts from Leverkusen are also taking with
them Baygen® Top TF, a polyester-based lacquer component with
good handling properties and particularly high fastness to
thermosetting for patent finishes. The third newcomer in the Bayer
lacquer range is Baygen® Compact Bottom AP, a special aqueous
preparation of covering polyurethane and acrylic dispersions for
producing satisfactory base coats on the highly flexible Baygen®
patent leathers.
Under the motto "Bayer brings out the best in leather", Bayer's
leather experts will be exhibiting over 30 samples of leather and
fashionable leather goods such as shoes and handbags in the latest
designs at its Stand L3 in Hall 3 to show leather processors from all
over the world the high standard of quality obtainable with the new
lacquer components. Anyone who wants to have a "peep behind the
curtains" before the fair can find out all about Bayer's range of
leather chemicals on the internet under www.bayerleather.com and
www.advancedleather.com.