Donald T. Pine

Chemtan President

President's Message

July 2023

The 4th quarter 2022 slow down world- wide has extended into the 1st quarter of 2023 and likely will persist until mid- year. Chemtan is well positioned to maintain our high standards throughout this slow- down.

Raw material supply lines appear to be improving ever so slightly but against the backdrop of a worldwide economic downturn. This improvement is welcome news as it allows us to be more responsive to changes in the market. The Leather Industry correspondingly is driven by retail activity heavily impacted by world economies in the USA, China, and Europe followed by consumer demand.

Now with Covid-19 behind us we have been able to fill staff positions in Chemtan manufacturing, warehouse and office. We are in a great position for the anticipated rebounding of the world-wide economic recovery.

We are pleased to announce the most important Chemtan products are registered on the ZDHC portal of LWG attaining the highest rating of 3 by independent third -party testing via Eurofin/BLC. Certified Chemtan products rated as level 3 and additional products are on the same pathway suitable for customers producing leathers which are compliant with International Standards.

Port congestion, container availability, shipping costs and delays during the Cov-19 Pandemic crisis has caused us to make changes in the way we operate. The result is we have improved our customer service and streamlined our operations.

Our recent efforts have culminated in strategic positioning of high-demand specialty chemicals on platforms servicing multiple customers located in multiple countries. The steps we have taken will dramatically reduce transportation lead times for the convenience of existing and new customers.

Chemtan’s annual Show line of 2023 introduces the GREENTAN® registered product range which is being used for Beam & Tan advancements. Noteworthy is a 50 % reduction in sodium chloride, and sodium sulfite through the use of enzymes, and with 75% lower ammonia through alternative deliming. The main tannage can now be heavy metal free.

In the retan phase following our GREENTAN® approach in Beam & Tan we have developed waterproof /water resistant leathers, both light and medium weights for Linings, Gloves, Children's shoes, and Shoe upper.

Chemtan’s 2023 Show line also introduces the concept of lower temperatures being used in the retan drum producing leathers in a range of waterproof categories.

We embrace the new challenges and opportunities to be faced in 2023 with a renewed sense of enthusiasm.

Respectfully,
Donald Pine

Product Highlight

 
New tool to make chrome free leathers - GreenTan® M-5
Let’s make white leather together.

GreenTan® M-5 is a novel approach to making chrome free leathers. It is non-yellowing, making it supremely suited for white athletic and automotive leathers. But it also imparts numerous reactive sites needed to make bright and dark shades.

GreenTan® M-5 is a newly engineered chrome free tanning agent designed to replace aldehyde and aluminum tans.

Leathers tanned using the GreenTan® M-5 have significantly improved shrink temperatures compared to alternative chrome free options. Typically achieving 75°C.
 
Efficient iron stain remover - CHEMTAN® R-20
Don’t let iron stains cut into your profits. Protect your leather with a high efficient chelate - Chemtan® R-20.

The chelate equivalence of the Chemtan® R-20 is 65% more effective to iron than EDTA.

Chemtan® R-20 offers ideal protection for your automotive and other high veg leathers.
 
Versatile retanning polymer - CHEMTAN® R-108
Sometimes smaller is better. This is certainly the case when it comes to developing a leather retanning polymer needed to selectively fill the flanks and empty areas of your skins.

Chemtan® R-108 is a versatile retanning polymer which can be used to produce a wide range of leathers, from soft glove and nappa leather to firm shoe upper.

Chemtan® R-108 is has a low pH and anionic charge. It is chrome stable and is normally added before the rechrome.

Chemtan® R-108 improves the break without compromising lightfastness. Leathers retanned with Chemtan® R-108 are also more receptive to impregnation.
 
Finish oil that does not compromise waterproof - CHEMOL® 588
No one says that finishing waterproof licals?

Chemol® 588 is a versatile finish oil. It provides a permanent rich feel and a moderate degree of darkening that does not fade over time.

What makes Chemol® 588 truly unique is that it is excellent for use on waterproof crusts and will maintain all waterproofing properties. No more sacrificing water absorptions just to get feel.

Chemol® 588 can be applied using either a hot or a cold rollcoater depending on youeather is easy but what if you had a finish oil that didn’t compromise waterproofing physr desired application amounts or needs.
 
Safe, effective alternative to formic acid - CHEMTAN® ECO-FIX
Let’s improve worker safety by making 1 simple change: How you fix your chemicals.

When it comes to your retan one of the most critical control points is how you fix the retan, dyes, and fatliquors.

Chemtan® Eco-Fix, helps you safely adjust the pH and fix your chemicals to the leather.

Chemtan® Eco-Fix is the safe, effective alternative to Formic Acid.

It is safe and effective on waterproof leathers and has been shown to be as effective in fixation based on COD analysis.
 
Versatile dispersing agent - CHEMOL® 411
Relax we got this. Let Chemol® 411 do all the heavy lifting in your process. Very few dispersants have the versatility of Chemol® 411. Whether you are making soft milled nappa, waterproof natural milled floater, or firm upper Chemol® 411 will certainly find a place in your retan.

Chemol® 411 is a versatile dispersing agent which can be used to produce a wide range of leathers, originally engineered specifically to meet the needs in waterproof systems it has shown itself as cost effect product for non-waterproof production.

Chemol® 411is fully neutralized and has anionic charge. It is chrome stable. It can be used to help improve the wetback of overly dry wet blue. As a dispersant it is equally effective aiding in distribution of the retan material or with the fatliquor. It really shines when used with those sensitive waterproof resins and silicones improving distribution and overall physical performance.

The dispersing properties of the Chemol® 411 are rendered inert by the metal salts commonly used in waterproof retans. Making this the perfect tool in your chemical toolbox.
 
GREENTAN® N-90 reduces nitrogen level up to 80%
Let us help you achieve your ZDHC Chem-MAP certification and meet your own corporate sustainability goals.

This one simple change can help you improve your wastewater profile by reducing nitrogen.

GREENTAN® N-90 is a unique deliming agent for reducing Nitrogen level up to 80% in the float and wastewater effluent.

High concentration of ammonium sulfate in the tannery wastewater has received much attention due to the increasingly strict emission regulations. Chemtan® N-90 will help you overcome this problem and reduce the cost of treatment of the wastewater system. You will get cleaner leather and a more uniform tannage.
 
GREENTAN® T-22M - a clean synthetic retanning agent to meet your retan needs
Are you concerned about Bisphenols in your tannage or retannage?

GreenTan® T-22M was engineered to meet all your RS requirements without compromise. ZDHC level 3 certified.

This concentrated synthetic retanning agent is the perfect complement to any retan that requires clean, uniform coloring on even the most difficult colors.

GREENTAN ® T-22M reduces the astringency of the vegetable tannins and protects the grain from draw. The extremely low salt content makes it perfectly suited for waterproof leather production.

GREENTAN ® T-22M is uniquely suited for Chrome Free tannages. When used in combination with chrome free tannages it helps disperse the tannage and improves shrink temperature and softness.

GREENTAN® N-90 reduces nitrogen level up to 80%

Let us help you achieve your ZDHC Chem-MAP certification and meet your own corporate sustainability goals.

This one simple change can help you improve your wastewater profile by reducing nitrogen.

GREENTAN® N-90 is a unique deliming agent for reducing Nitrogen level up to 80% in the float and wastewater effluent.

High concentration of ammonium sulfate in the tannery wastewater has received much attention due to the increasingly strict emission regulations. Chemtan® N-90 will help you overcome this problem and reduce the cost of treatment of the wastewater system. You will get cleaner leather and a more uniform tannage.