Synthetic leather: The best alternative to animal skin

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Robust, durable and comfortable

Wherever leather is used in industry, synthetic leather is not only a visually appealing and durable alternative, but also a very animal-friendly one!

Synthetic leather is convincing with a pleasant feel and a surface structure that is modeled on animal skin, but can be manufactured without significant cutting losses. For this purpose, a textile fabric is usually provided with a plastic layer – often made of PVC, polyurethane or polyester. The foam structure within the upper layer creates softness, fullness and grip and improves wearing and sitting comfort. Synthetic leather is also very durable and easy to care for, frequently even water and dirt repellent.

Synthetic leather has special advantages when used as a seat cover, as it is very robust, weather-resistant, easy to clean and lighter than real leather. What’s more, many people who have concerns about the use of natural leather for ethical reasons prefer these more than equivalent alternatives.

Easily produced, available any time

Like the plastics used at Serwo – especially films – our synthetic leather products are also based primarily on the processing of mineral oil. Accordingly, the same principles for use and environmentally friendly disposal must be observed here as well.

In view of the unavoidable use of plasticizers and solvents, we want to ensure, together with our customers, that the products are handled responsibly. This pertains to the consideration of allergies as well as the protection of resources and the environment.

In contrast to natural leather, the production of synthetic leather does not require any tannins and is possible at short notice, in any quantity and at relatively low prices. Compared to the import of leather from sometimes questionable sources, the artificial variant has clear advantages.

That’s why we like to use synthetic leather – not least for the sake of animal welfare!

Plastics: From a simple molecule to an industrial all-rounder

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This is how customer requirements take on plastic forms with us

Due to their unique properties, plastics in their incredible diversity have long become absolutely indispensable as materials for a wide variety of products.

Both in the Serwo Automotive area and for our extensive range of packaging, we use high-quality plastics that must satisfy a wide range of requirements depending on the area of application: In this field, we combine product properties, such as easy malleability and resistance to chemicals, with high elasticity and temperature stability, such as thermal resistance.

Natural basic ingredients such as mineral oil and natural gas are processed using high-tech processes: In these synthesis processes, the molecules – or monomers – are linked to form polymers. In the next step, the polymers are connected to one another like a net.

The resulting PE plastics obtain their special properties by further processing, e.g. in high or low-pressure processes as well as thermal treatments and extrusion etc. – precisely tailored to the subsequent application.

Polymerisation

Films and much more at Serwo

The films used at Serwo are manufactured on the basis of granulates and, thanks to specific additives, obtain the special properties our customers want – such as color, antistatic or UV resistance, etc.

At Serwo we differentiate in principle between the following types of film:

  • LDPE (low-density polyethylene): Due to its low density, this film has excellent transparency and is soft, elastic, flexible and stretchable. LDPE films can be unrolled easily and quietly, and are particularly well-suited for products with a shrink function.
  • HDPE (high-density polyethylene): The surface of this high-density film appears “naturally transparent” or rather milky, is tougher, stiffer as well as robust and tear-resistant, but in exchange less elastic. We use the slightly crackling HDPE films for classic film bags, for example.
  • LLDPE (linear low-density polyethylene): This film has a special quality based on LDPE, but possesses a slightly more milky surface than LDPE. It is extremely resistant and stretchable as well as puncture-proof. When tubular films with high elasticity and tear resistance are needed, this variant is often the best choice.
  • blown film extrusion

Nylon: Stable, elastic and versatile

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For products that are well-received thanks to their strong resistance

Regardless of whether you are strumming the strings of a concert guitar or thinking of classic applications such as toothbrushes or fishnet stockings – nylon always sets the tone! As a replacement for silk thread, we entrust many human lives to this extremely tear-resistant plastic fiber, not least in the manufacture of parachutes, climbing ropes and hot air balloons.

Nylon was the first fiber to be manufactured entirely synthetically in 1935 and, thanks to its product properties, it has proven to be an almost indispensable starting material. The chemical manufacturing process is based on polycondensation with the elimination of water. To this end, solids such as adipic acid or hexamethylenediamine are melted from which polyamide fibers, the nylon threads, can be drawn.

Strong thread with many facets

The high-quality polyamide fiber plays an important role in the Serwo product portfolio. Nylon products help, for example, to avoid scratches, soiling and other damage. Our reusable universal protectors protect automobiles during production and in workshops. We have special reusable front guards for cars and trucks on offer.

We also utilize the almost indestructible fibers as seat and steering wheel covers or as center console protectors and much more.

The reason: Nylon threads are characterized above all by their high resistance. They are very dimensionally stable, tear and abrasion resistant and waterproof. In addition, they are flexible and stretchable as well as high-gloss.

Another advantage is that this plastic can be recycled. This also makes it interesting from an ecological point of view. The recycled polyamides are mixed with various additives such as fillers, dyes or reinforcing agents in order to restore or strengthen the positive properties of the polyamide. In this form, the recycled material is often used again for technical components such as seals, coils or screws.

Discover the versatile uses of nylon in the Serwo range.

rPET: Recycled plastic with a sustainable added value

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Our contribution to conserving resources

Because the conservation of natural resources and climate protection are becoming more and more important in the automotive sector as well, we deliberately rely on rPET materials for selected products. rPET generally stands for recycled PET. More specifically, this is based at Serwo on used plastic bottles, which are returned to the material cycle shredded and melted and thus meaningfully reused.

Instead of the term “recycling,” we also like to speak of “upcycling,” i.e. material upgrading, because in this process, waste products are converted into a starting material for completely new products. Because significantly less oil has to be processed into polymers in contrast to conventional processes, the use of rPET saves a lot of valuable energy.

Upcycling Process - rPET
recycled plastic upcycling process

For a smaller carbon footprint

This results in around five times fewer CO2 emissions. Moreover, fewer natural raw materials are required and the amount of waste is sustainably reduced. For this reason, it is to be welcomed in the interests of sustainability if the proportion of rPET continues to increase.

The added value of rPET is also plain to see when it comes to the product properties: The products made from this raw material are reusable, washable, universally usable, water-impermeable and suitable for dryers.

At Serwo, you can experience this for example with the Ecoprotect product line, which is used in the interiors of cars. It offers effective protection against water, oil and dirt.

rPET in use at Serwo

Our Ecoprotect 4 in 1 Set includes a whole range of high-quality products based on rPET. This includes seat covers as well as footwell, steering wheel and gear knob protectors.

So the next time you hold a water bottle in your hands, remember: This is a valuable material for various exciting applications and should definitely be returned to the material cycle. And in the best case scenario, it becomes a high-quality Serwo product to protect the interior of your vehicle!

Talk to us about the use of rPET to learn more!