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TFL
Cool System® In the category of the best product innovation, the TFL COOL SYSTEM was assigned the first prize. ICIS awards In the 4th year of the ICIS Innovation awards, the originator and organiser John Baker, head of custom publishing at ICIS (formerly known as European Chemical News), stated that the awards have again proved that innovation is alive and well in the chemical industry. "The winners of the ICIS awards have developed products that offer real potential to the chemical industry - and the world", Baker points out. In 2007, the winner for the best product innovation is TFL Leather Technology Ltd with its COOL SYSTEM. In the case of COOL, Prof. Droescher (one of the judges) commented, a "wow!" factor - demonstrating that even in a mature sector such as leather processing, there can be startling, unexpected innovation. Judge Dr. Dirk Carrez added that TFL had shown an in-depth knowledge of the properties of a natural material to come up with innovative dyes and coatings that worked with the properties of leather to deliver the desired effect. In addition, the system is very close to the consumer and offers a nice example with which to explain the benefits of chemicals to the public. History of COOL A coincidence on a business trip eight years ago led to innovative solar reflective leather. On a flight Dr. Jürgen Christner, Head of Research and Application at TFL, sat next to Gerd Hugo of IPS Innovations, the inventor of the cool effect. After exchanging ideas with Hugo, it did not take long until the TFL research team developed the reflective technology also for leather. COOL technology The patented technology comprises COOL dyes (SELLA? COOL dyes) to colour the leather and cool NIR (near infrared) transparent pigments (RODA? COOL pigments), which are applied in the finish coat. The cool pigments do not absorb near infrared waves but let them pass through allowing the leather's natural collagen fibre network to reflect the NIR rays. Without absorption, there is no heat build up. In this way, dark leathers remain considerably cooler when exposed to direct sunlight. Only the right combination of dyes and pigments provide the optimum performance in keeping the leather cool. The temperature difference can be up to 20°C between COOL and non-cool black leathers. TFL COOL SYSTEM® in the market The COOL technology is particular suitable for car seats in convertibles, steering wheels, motorcycle garment and shoes. Here the reflection of the NIR component of the sunlight brings the best benefit for the consumer. Motor cyclists are enthusiastic about COOL leather, wearing dark motorcycle leather on a hot summer day now means not sweating, but enables every biker a cool ride! October 2007 |