Manufacturer of speciality coatings for flexible materials Stahl has introduced Syncros, a new carbodiimide-based crosslinker designed to offer an alternative to conventional products such as aziridines and isocyanates in leather finishing.

According to the company, the new technology eliminates some of the health and environmental risks associated with older crosslinker systems while maintaining durability, flexibility, and resistance to abrasion and chemicals.

The patented Syncros XR-55-400 is designed for use in aqueous topcoats and basecoats. It is free from substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic (CMR) and offers a pot-life of up to six hours. Other properties include non-yellowing performance and strong adhesion to coated surfaces.

Stahl said the development is part of a broader shift in the industry towards safer and more sustainable chemical solutions, driven by regulatory pressure and customer demand for lower-impact products.