The leather industry is undergoing a profound transformation. Driven by new brand expectations, regulations, and sustainability requirements, the use of retanning agents with low bisphenol content —often referred to as Low Bisphenol —is becoming the standard for the future.
What is a low bisphenol syntan?
A low bisphenol syntan is a retanning agent whose formulation has been optimized for:
minimize the presence of free bisphenols (BPS, BPF, etc.),
reduce residual phenolic monomers,
promote more stable polymer structures.
The term does not refer to a single chemical family, but rather to a technological approach aimed at reducing the environmental and health impact of the products used in the wet end.
Why were bisphenols present in syntans?
Historically, certain types of syntans were produced by condensation reactions involving aromatic compounds capable of generating bisphenols:
as reaction intermediates,
as by-products,
or as residual monomers that have not been completely converted.
These free monomers could contribute to:
color variations,
adverse effects on the hand,
discharges into effluents,
less lightfastness.
With improved chemical and toxicological knowledge, reducing them has become a priority.
Why is the leather industry moving towards low bisphenol?
How do Low Bisphenol syntans work?
Operations
Profits
Which types of leather benefit most from Low Bisphenol solutions?
Low Bisphenol formulations are particularly suitable for the following leathers:
Wet-white and white crust leathers
High-end leather goods
Very light or pastel leathers
High standards
In prolonged contact with the skin
Conclusion
Low Bisphenol solutions represent a major step forward in balancing performance, chemical safety, and environmental responsibility.
They are part of a global movement to modernize wet-end processes while meeting new market requirements.