In support of Stahl’s ESG Roadmap to 2030, we aim to be a catalyst for positive change. Through our family of products such as Stahl Ympact®, we are enabling and supporting the transition from fossil carbon to renewable feedstocks, and helping to decouple growth from fossil-carbon resource consumption. We recently added Stahl Ymagine®, the cleanest range of edge paints made with bio-based raw materials, to this family of future-proof coating solutions.
Keeping ahead of changing customer needs
At Shoe & Leather Care, we are specialists in edge paint products for leather and synthetic materials. We saw increasing interest in sustainability among our customers, some of whom are eager to lead the sustainable transformation of the fashion industry. We wanted to proactively offer the best bio-based alternatives and become a key partner on this journey. Our team enjoys such technical challenges, so there was clear synergy between what the industry needs and what we like.
From imagination to creation
Our target was to launch a range of edge paints that are suitable both for leather and synthetics, and which contain the highest percentage of bio-based raw materials in the market. However, it also needed to be a range that offered technical performance in line with our other water-based edge paints.
We went through a long research process for additives and resins, and conducted multiple tests at our Centre of Excellence for Edge Paints in France to achieve the desired results.
Bringing Stahl Ymagine® to life
The next stage of the development process involved a comprehensive screening of the raw materials by our ESG department. They conducted a thorough evaluation of the origin of the materials and analysed them to ensure full compliance with LCA methodology.
Once a scale-up batch was made, our products were sent for external testing of their bio-based content. We used the standard ASTM D6866 for this purpose, which is carried out by an independent testing laboratory in the US that is ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited. With this certification, we were able to confirm that the percentage of bio-based content in our Stahl Ymagine® edge paints is the highest on the market.
A high performing, future-proof solution
We are proud of the resulting product range, which includes a primer coat and colour coats with different finishes (matte, satin, and gloss). These are suitable for both leather and synthetic materials, provide the same high performing properties such as rub fastness and hydrolysis resistance, and offer outstanding flexibility, adhesion and elongation properties.
At the end of the day, there is no physical difference between Stahl Ymagine® and our non-bio-based edge paints. We paid special attention to creating the same silky feel as our Stahl Imperia® edge paint range, for instance. By doing so, we ensure that our customers meet their environmental targets without having to compromise on the quality and feel of the final finish. Besides, they can also match this bio-based edge paint range with our pigments to make endless colour combinations and create the coolest trends.
Thank you David and the SLC team for having ‘ymagined’ this edge paint range! Find out more about the Stahl Ympact® family here.