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Assessment of the Biodegradability and Compatibility of Finished Leathers: Analysis Using Spectroscopy and Thermal Methods
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This research assesses the biodegradability and environmental compatibility of chemical finishing agents used in textile manufacturing, evaluating how readily these compounds break down under natural conditions. The study provides insight into the persistence and potential ecological risks of textile process chemicals released into wastewater and the broader environment.
In this study, the biodegradation properties of leather treated with various finishing chemicals were evaluated in order to enhance the sustainability of leather processing. We applied advanced analytical techniques including FT-IR, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and solid-state NMR spectroscopy. Leather samples treated with different polymers, resins, bio-based materials, and traditional finishing agents were subjected to a composting process under controlled conditions to measure their biodegradability. The findings revealed that bio-based polyurethane finishes and acrylic wax exhibited biodegradability, while traditional chemical finishes like isocyanate and nitrocellulose lacquer showed moderate biodegradation levels. The results indicated significant differences in the biodegradation rates and the impact on plant germination and growth. Some materials, such as black pigment, nitrocellulose lacquer and wax, were beneficial for plant growth, while others, such as polyurethane materials, had adverse effects. These results support the use of eco-friendly finishes to reduce the environmental footprint of leather production. Overall, this study underscores the importance of selecting sustainable finishing chemicals to promote eco-friendly leather manufacturing practices.
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Assessment of the Biodegradability and Compostability of Finished Leathers: Analysis Using Spectroscopy and Thermal Methods
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Researchers assessed the biodegradability and compostability of flexible packaging films, testing whether they meet international standards for industrial composting. Results showed that only materials explicitly designed for composting degraded sufficiently, while conventional films persisted and generated microplastic fragments.
Thermogravimetric Analysis of Rigid PVC and Animal-Origin Bio-Composite: Experimental Study and Comparative Analysis
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Researchers used thermogravimetric analysis to compare the thermal degradation behavior of rigid PVC with an animal-origin biocomposite material, evaluating the biocomposite as a more sustainable alternative to conventional PVC in industrial applications.
Releases of microplastics and chemicals from nonwoven polyester fabric-based polyurethane synthetic leather by photoaging
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Researchers compared microplastic fiber release and chemical transformation from polyurethane-coated synthetic leather and uncoated nonwoven PET fabric under UV photoaging, finding that the PU coating reduced fiber release but increased the degree of chemical oxidation. Photoaging of synthetic leather products produces microplastic fibers and chemical breakdown products that enter aquatic environments.
Photodegradation behavior of different polyurethane: A comparison study of foam and leather
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Polyurethane plastics, used in everything from furniture foam to synthetic leather, can break down under sunlight into microplastics and dissolved chemicals — including from carcinogenic starting materials. This study compared how foam-based and leather-based polyurethanes degrade under UV light, finding that foam degraded faster and released more nanoscale plastic particles and dissolved organic matter. Understanding these differences matters because it affects how toxic the resulting microplastics are, and which polyurethane products pose the greatest risks as they age in the environment.
Formation of Nano- and Microplastics and Dissolved Chemicals During Photodegradation of Polyester Base Fabrics with Polyurethane Coating
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Researchers investigated the photodegradation of polyester fabrics with polyurethane coating, a common composite material in synthetic leather, to understand microplastic and chemical release. The study found that the PU coating delayed but did not prevent degradation, with both microplastic fibers and particles being released along with dissolved chemicals, highlighting the environmental risks of composite plastic materials.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.