The causes and the ways to minimize the risks In this whitepaper Royal Smit & Zoon is sharing a synopsis on the topic ‘Light fastness & Heat resistance’. Learn about the yellowing of leather by the influence of warmth and/or light and time. How do you minimize the risk and how are the assessments done. Leather contains a large variety of chemical compounds, added depending on the end users requirements for the leather. The source of these chemicals can be phenolic or nitrogen-based products, or synthetic and natural oils, amongst others. Because of the chemical composition of these products many of them are subject to yellowing due to exposure to heat, light or long time storage. Depending on the end users requirements specific products are to be chosen in order to meet their demands. Learn more on this topic and download the whitepaper. Download the whitepaper ‘Light & Heat’ My email address** First name** Last name** Company name** Stay informed Please keep me informed about the latest news on Royal Smit & Zoon and the leather industry.Consent* I have read and accepted the Terms & conditions and Privacy Statement. Δ What turns leathers yellow? Yellowing is caused by auto-oxidation of unsaturated compounds in the presence of atmospheric oxygen under the influence of warmth and/or light and time. Also atmospheric pollutants and contaminants from both natural and industrial sources can lead to yellowing. The specific pollutants include oxides of nitrogen, sulphur dioxide, and ozone. Other contaminants can be part of materials in contact with the leather, e.g. cardboard boxes or dividers, plastic sheets, or bags. Most yellowing, however, can be traced back to the leather’s constituents, chemical additives or auxiliaries used during its production. Interesting for you Discover more on Wet End Whitepaper Color Analysis on Leather The SmiTool Light and Heat already discussed the subject of heat yellowing and light fastness tests on leather. The current SmiTool explains the differences between subjective and objective assessments of tested leather and how to report test results for heat yellowing and light fastness. Exploring the Different Types of Leather Chemicals Used in Leather Production From Tanning Agents to Finishing Chemicals: A Comprehensive Overview of the Different Types of Leather Chemicals. Certifications for safer chemistry you should know about How to source sustainable materials? Asking for the right certifications helps. For the leather supply chain there are 4 certification every brand should know of. Wet End Discover Stay informed Receive the latest company news and industry updates Subscribe Share this: