By Hilaire BeerensThe LIFE Biopol project aims to provide answers to the most relevant issues of European policies for the leather industry: in particular the reduction of hazardous chemicals as well as their environmental footprint and impacts. The project focuses to enhance the circular economy making use of industrial (side-)streams from biological origin. In the project these industrial side-streams are used as basis to develop safe and eco-friendly biopolymers. The project then needs to prove that the new green chemicals have equal or better performances than traditional (petrochemical based) products through application on leather and reduce the pollution load of re-tanning effluents and water consumption. Finally in the project is the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) assessed in a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) to assess that the products have a better performance compared to conventional leather making auxiliaries. Since the completion of the plant – see previous newsletter – Smit & Zoon in The Netherlands and Italy have thoroughly tested the products on:haptic properties,physical properties,environmental characteristics.Some of the goals were the replacement of part of the technology based on petrochemical raw materials in the ‘state of art’ re-tanning recipes and in addition getting a reduction of:COD values of bathInorganic saltsChrome saltsEnvironmental footprint via life cycle analysis (LCA)Now we have come to the article development phase to produce different leather articles such as furniture upholstery, automotive upholstery, shoe upper and leather goods with our LIFE Biopol prototypes. The articles are comparable to our standard application processes, to achieve similar properties and consistent results to the leather compared to ‘State of Art’ petrochemical based products.The Biopol development is a new era for Codyeco and Smit & Zoon, for a better climate, life and environmental aspect.Laymans Report Life BIOPOLInteresting for you Discover more on Innovation Biopol collectionThe Smit & Zoon company developed new range of Biopol products. These are based on the concept of the circular economy. Circular economy focuses on the utilization of renewable sources, waste streams reutilization or smart utilization of low(no)-value biomass side-streams minimizing product environmental footprint. Environmental Sustainability Explained: Life Cycle AssessmentsGet to know facts & figures about Life Cycle Assessments and learn how to put an LCA to practice. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Biopolymer ProductionWithin the framework of the “LIFE BIOPOL” project, co-financed by the European Commission, the environmental footprint of the developed biopolymers has been evaluated through a Life Cycle Assessment study. Innovation Discover Stay informedReceive the latest company news and industry updatesSubscribeShare this: