Crosslinkers for Leather

High-performance solutions for sustainable synthetic leather

Synthetic leather is more than an alternative to genuine leather. It is a versatile material platform for modern design, combining style, durability, comfort and the opportunity for more sustainable production. From automotive interiors and fashion accessories to furniture, footwear and technical applications, manufacturers need material systems that deliver authentic look and feel, long-lasting performance and efficient processing.

Evonik Crosslinkers supports the synthetic leather industry with high-performance building blocks and crosslinking technologies for polyurethane-based systems. Our solutions are designed for waterborne PU leather, PUD leather refinish, high-solid and solvent-free systems, 2K aliphatic PU technology and durable leather finishing applications. These technologies help improve softness, flexibility, light stability, weather resistance, mechanical performance and process efficiency.

With proven technologies such as VESTANAT® and VESTAMIN®, we support customers to develop high-quality artificial leather solutions that meet modern expectations for performance and sustainability. Our products comply with the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals, or ZDHC, Manufacturing Restricted Substances List, supporting the transition from traditional solvent-intensive processes toward more sustainable production routes.

Synthetic Leather
Polymers

Synthetic Leather & Advanced PUD Solutions

Synthetic leather must deliver the right balance of authentic appearance, soft touch, durability and processing efficiency. Polyurethane-based artificial leather offers a cruelty-free alternative to genuine leather and can support more sustainable manufacturing routes, especially when moving from traditional solvent-intensive production toward waterborne or solvent-free processes. We provide technologies that help manufacturers create high-quality synthetic leather with excellent flexibility, light stability and long-term performance.

VESTANAT® IPDI and VESTANAT® H12MDI are used in the synthesis of non-yellowing polyurethane elastomers, PU resins and polyurethane dispersions for sustainable artificial leather and leather refinish. VESTANAT® TMDI provides excellent flexibility for high-performance PU leather resin and leather refinish, helping enable a soft, authentic “real leather” feel. VESTAMIN® IPD acts as a diamine chain extender for high-performance PU leather resin and PUD systems, while VESTAMIN® A95 supports high-solid PUD for waterborne artificial leather.

These technologies help deliver leather-like aesthetics, softness, wear resistance and mechanical strength while supporting more sustainable manufacturing concepts. They are suitable for applications such as water-based PU leather, PUD for waterborne leather refinish, high-solid or solvent-free TPU for leather and PUR for 2K solvent-free leather.

Key technologies:

High-Performance Polymers for Leather Applications

High-performance polyurethane systems are essential for synthetic and coated leather applications where flexibility, strength, durability and surface quality are required. Whether used in leather resin, topcoats, refinish systems or solvent-free artificial leather, the right polymer building blocks help determine softness, light stability, weather resistance, mechanical performance and long-term appearance.

We offer a broad portfolio of aliphatic and cycloaliphatic diisocyanates and amine-based building blocks for light-stable polyurethane resins, elastomers and dispersions. VESTANAT® IPDI and VESTANAT® H12MDI are used for non-yellowing PUR elastomers, PUR resins and PUD systems for sustainable artificial leather and leather refinish. VESTANAT® TMDI enables excellent flexibility in high-performance PU leather resin, while VESTAMIN® IPD and VESTAMIN® A95 support chain extension and high-solid waterborne PUD development

For solvent-free aliphatic 2K PU artificial leather, these technologies can support light stability, weather resistance, fast drying speed, lower baking temperature, good flexibility and mechanical performance. The 2K system can also be optimized according to performance requirements and used with existing 2K production equipment, helping manufacturers improve processing efficiency while reducing reliance on solvent-intensive production methods.

Key technologies:

Man with duffle bag on shoulder. leather and canvas bag

FAQs

Evonik Crosslinkers offers VESTANAT® and VESTAMIN® technologies for polyurethane-based synthetic leather, including waterborne PU leather, PUD leather refinish, high-solid systems and solvent-free 2K PU artificial leather.

Evonik provides solutions for “green” processes that can help replace traditional solvent-intensive production routes, including waterborne PU leather and solvent-free 2K leather technologies. Selected high-performance products comply with the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List.

VESTANAT® IPDI, VESTANAT® H12MDI, VESTAMIN® IPD and VESTAMIN® A95 are used in high-performance PUD synthesis, waterborne artificial leather, leather refinish and related polyurethane systems.

VESTANAT® TMDI provides excellent flexibility for high-performance PU leather resin and leather refinish, helping create a soft, authentic leather-like feel.

Solvent-free aliphatic 2K PU technology can support light stability, weather resistance, extremely low VOC, fast drying speed, lower baking temperature, good flexibility and mechanical performance.

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Create high-performance synthetic leather with Evonik Crosslinkers

From waterborne PUD systems and leather refinish to solvent-free 2K PU artificial leather, Evonik Crosslinkers helps manufacturers develop synthetic leather with the right balance of softness, durability, light stability and more sustainable processing.

Click here and contact our experts to discuss the right VESTANAT® or VESTAMIN® technology for your synthetic leather application.