BSLT, The University of Northampton

Recognising the importance for students to be in touch with the commercial world during their studies, Byron Dixon, Corium Solutions was invited to present a half day seminar to students within the British School of Leather Technology (BSLT). Byron highlighted the importance of understanding the manufacture of leather footwear and appropriate aftercare treatments. Also included, were the benefits of using Microfresh on leather products to prevent the formation of mould growth, particularly when shipping from the Far East. Byron combined both theory and practical work, all of which formed part of the “Raw Materials and End Use” teaching module. Byron provided both an entertaining and informative afternoon with excellent feedback from the students!

Students were from all parts of the world (including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, Turkey and China) and studying:
Leather Sellers Certificate in Leather Studies
BSc ( Hons) Materials Technology (Leather) Year one
MSc Leather Technology

European Commission issue a complete ban on the use of Dimethyl-Fumarate (DMF) used in many every day consumer products

Dimethyl-Fumarate (DMF), which inhibits the growth of mould, has been widely used in the manufacture of a diverse range of every day products such as furniture and upholstery including leather sofas and chairs, footwear, toys, clothing and many other consumer products.

It was proven to be the cause of thousands of people throughout the UK and Europe suffering severe skin, chest and eye conditions resulting in hospitalisation and in some cases linked to deaths after purchasing sofas containing the anti mould chemical.

Following this the European Commission has made a decision to ban the use of DMF across the European Union from 1 May 2009. This complete EU ban will have a major impact worldwide; for example, a product treated with DMF in China to prevent mould growth during transit will be banned from entering the EU. To avoid the inevitable cost implications, manufacturers and retailers will need to urgently source alternative mould inhibitor solutions that not only assure the consumer of a mould free product but guarantee that it is DMF free and therefore safe.

Many retailers have already begun using Micro-Fresh, an FDA and EU Biocide Directive approved and proven antimicrobial product. Crucially
Micro-Fresh is DMF free and does not contain any other banned or restricted substances such as Chromium V1, Formaldehyde and TCMTB providing complete consumer assurance and an efficient and cost effective solution to the DMF ban.

Corium Solutions, who facilitate and manage leather care and finishing solutions for some of the best known brands in the world, created and manufacture Micro-Fresh and have their own facilities in both the UK and China which means they are able to offer a total supply chain of on-site technical help and aftercare.

Corium Solutions set up factory in China to ensure UK retailers get what they want.

The UK company Corium Solutions Ltd, whose head office is situated in the Midlands, has opened its first factory in Dongguan City located within the Guangdon Province, China.

Corium Solutions are well known in the trade for producing chemicals for leather treatment, leather repair, leather protection and finishing.

Their antimould and antibacterial chemicals treat and protect leather against bacteria, fungal growth and odours within the manufacturing of footwear, upholstery, leather sofas, leather furniture and other leathergoods.

Corium also produce a range of leather finishes for these items to ensure that the finished leather product matches the original design vision.
In addition to leather and leather goods, wood protection and wood finishes, their antimicrobial chemicals can be used across a diverse range of materials covering an infinite number of products.

Leather manufacturers in China are now used widely as a base for leather goods, particularly shoes and sofas. Much of what is produced in China is exported, but, as Byron Dixon of Corium Solutions explains, these items don’t always arrive in the same condition in which they leave.

“When sofas, shoes, kitchenware and other items are shipped from China to the UK and other parts of the world, they are often treated ineffectively, or not at all,” comments Byron. “This makes the products prone to mould on the long journey to the UK and as many as 10% of items are scrapped on their arrival in the UK. Treating the leather with our scientifically developed chemicals, such as MicroFresh®, prior to export, this can be avoided. MicroFresh® is free from restricted substances such as Chromium VI, Formaldehyde and Dimethyl Fumarate otherwise known as DMF.

Our clients have also found that, due to language difficulties, the effect or colour specified within the design brief doesn’t always match the end result. By working with the UK designers and Chinese manufacturers, we ensure quality is built into design.

This will really help to eliminate the wastage problem caused by both fungal growth during the manufacturing process and mismatch between the design specification and finished product.