Colorants are formulated for synthetic leather.

Press Release Summary:



Combining bright color and transparency of dyes with low migration properties of pigments, ViviTint(TM) colorants enable creation of special effects and aniline leather-like effects in synthetic leather products including shoes, handbags, and accessories. They are made without toxic heavy metals such as chromium, cobalt, and lead, which are associated with health risks. Available in 6 primary colors as homogeneous liquids, products can be incorporated into commercial resins.




Original Press Release:



Milliken Puts Its Best Foot Forward with Vibrant, Transparent ViviTint(TM) Colorants for Synthetic Leather Shoes, Handbags and Accessories



PORTLAND, Oregon - Sept. 9, 2008 - At the Northwest Apparel and Footwear Materials (NW AFM) Show in Portland, Ore., Milliken Chemical, a division of Milliken & Company, today launched ViviTint(TM) colorants, a new class of colorants for synthetic leather that provides the benefits of traditional pigments and dyes without their drawbacks. Patented ViviTint colorants represent a major step up in this technology: they are made without heavy metals associated with health risks; they ensure very low migration; and as homogeneous liquids, they are easily incorporated into commercial resins.

From a design standpoint, ViviTint colorants enable the creation of special effects and aniline leather-like effects in synthetic leather that are difficult or impossible to achieve with current technologies. They feature bright, vibrant color with glass-like transparency that enhances design. Six primary colors can be blended to achieve an almost limitless palette.

"Many trends are driving today's double-digit growth in the synthetic leather market, but until now, the industry has lacked a colorant solution that could help accelerate that growth," said Lisa Clark, business development manager, Milliken Chemical. "To capitalize on the popularity of synthetic leather in fashion footwear, handbags, accessories and furniture, manufacturers and designers need colorants that can expand design freedom, solve performance issues and simplify manufacturing. ViviTint colorants do all that and more. They fill a longstanding gap in the market."

ViviTint colorants offer the bright color and transparency of dyes combined with the low migration properties of pigments. They eliminate the use of toxic heavy metals - such as chromium, cobalt, lead, etc - found in some dyes and pigments. ViviTint colorants surpass both dyes and pigments in color consistency, shelf stability and ease of processing. This technology also reduces inventory: instead of stocking many different shades of pigment or dye, manufacturers may simply custom-blend the six primary colors in the ViviTint colorant portfolio.

ViviTint colorants are commercially available and are currently being trialed and used in synthetic leather footwear, handbags and sporting goods applications.

Milliken Chemical is showcasing ViviTint colorants and applications in Booth 419 at the Northwest Apparel and Footwear Materials Show.

About Milliken Chemical
Based in Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA, Milliken & Company is one of the world's largest privately held textile and chemical corporations. Milliken Chemical, a division of Milliken & Company, specializes in developing and producing additives for plastics, textiles, fibers, and other manufacturing processes. Milliken Chemical has application and development centers around the world to support their customers.

For more information about Milliken Chemical, please visit www.millikenchemical.com

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