The DE-3Double PU leather model from Warren of mainland China is made using the wet process. The product is suitable for shoes and is priced at $2 per meter.

Suppliers of synthetic leather in Taiwan and mainland China are improving their manufacturing capability in order to provide environment-friendly products and diverse finishes.

Most companies now operate production lines for both the wet and dry processing of PU leather. The material, which is less toxic than PVC, already makes up the majority of output on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Moreover, makers are refining their methods by replacing some or all of organic solvents with water-based agents. The resulting models have low VOCs.

The number of suppliers with microfiber lines is also growing. This is because the textile product, usually made of polyester, is relatively “greener” than both PU and PVC. It yields more consistent results when printing different leather grains. Further, suppleness and easy-toclean properties make microfiber suitable for garments and upholstery.

In addition, suppliers are purchasing recycling equipment that enables them to reuse chemicals such as

DMF, MEK and EAC. The move helps them decrease not only their consumption of harmful substances but also their production expenses.

Such developments are facilitating manufacturers' obtainment of ISO 14001:2004 certification. Two Taiwan suppliers featured in this report, San Fang Chemical Industry Co. Ltd and Ocean Plastics Co. Ltd, have factories that operate according to that environmental standard.

Dyeing and printing facilities, and spraying, tanning, buffing and embossing machines allow makers to offer a variety of colors, patterns and functional properties.

Among mainland companies interviewed, Zhejiang Sunenew Synthetic Leather Co. Ltd has two wet and two dry PU processing lines, a 3-color printing press, and spraying, tanning, buffing and embossing machines. It is also capable of recycling solvents.

The ISO 9001:2000-certified company offers PU leather with burnished and metallic finishes. Varieties suitable for garments can also be printed with leopard, plaid, argyle, camouflage, floral, striped and woven motifs on top of the grain.

Prices are between $3 and $5 per meter.

Two wet and three dry PU processing lines are located in Warren Synthetic Leather (Suzhou) Co. Ltd's factory. The company has a double-color printing press and an embossing machine.

A testing laboratory is also equipped with 20 inspection devices, which determine the strength, flexibility and temperature resistance of products.

Foshan Gaoming Chuangyan Synthetic Leather Co. Ltd has 200 patterns, colors and textures in its catalog. These include exotic-skin prints such as crocodile, snake and ostrich. Patent, pearlized and color-changing designs are also available. Prices are from $1.50 to $3 per meter.

The company's factory has two lines each for wet and dry PU production, and one new PVC line. It is also equipped with a waste disposal system.

Jiangyin Haida Group Co. Ltd is the only mainland manufacturer interviewed that can provide microfiber leather. It also has four coating and five drying machines for PU production in its ISO 9001:2000-certified factory.

Patent, wrinkled, snakeskin and suede effects are available. Products can be treated for water resistance.

Prices range from $1.50 to $5 per meter.

In Taiwan, San Fang can offer microfiber leather with densities ranging from 0.001 to 0.15d. Some of its products are patented locally, and in Italy and the Philippines.

The company manufactures PU models using the wet process, and has chemical-recycling facilities. It also makes nonwoven fabric used for substrates in-house.

Ocean has developed water-based foamed PU leather, which does not use harmful solvents. The product is breathable, water-resistant and 20 percent lighter than wet-processed PU.

The company also offers high solid content PU leather, which has low VOCs.

Both products can be laminated on a buyer's chosen substrate, and then treated for anti-bacterial, deodorizing and flame-retarding properties.

The company also produces its own PVC resin.

Pony Leather Corp. incorporates specific properties in synthetic leather models for different applications. Versions suitable for shoes and garments are breathable, while those for bags must be flexible.

The company has wet and dry PU processing lines, and in-house PU resin production facilities. Its ISO 9001:2000- certified factory is also equipped with two wastewater-recycling machines.

Aside from synthetic leather, Pony offers bicast leather. The product is made by laminating animal skins with PU to make them more durable.

Metallic, wrinkled, patent and cracked finishes are available from Sun Yad Technology Co. Ltd.

The company has factories in Tainan and Vietnam.