Invisible as they may be, coatings play an important part in many textile products. They’re added to motor suits, sportswear, suitcases and many other textile types to provide them with extra functions. Just like these examples, coatings are versatile, meaning there’re a thousand ways to use them in your products. When asked about their added value, our BU manager Functional Finishes explained: “Coatings are real problem solvers: they’re what turns textiles into must-haves”.
Coating literally means adding a layer to something. In the case of textiles, they function as a shield against water, oil, fire, scratches, light, wind, or any other external influence that may irritate or harm the end-user. Tablecloths, for example, are coated to avoid staining, whereas military uniforms are armed with extra layers to protect soldiers against insects, water, extreme heath or fire. Both coatings add value to the product, but in a completely different way.
The coating process can be best explained by a sandwich metaphor. As opposed to finishing, coatings aren’t added to the fabrics in water baths, but spread onto them like butter on toast. This results in a layer that is thicker than a finish, which is why coatings are very appropriate to strengthen and brace textiles. They’re often combined with other coatings and finishes, as many textiles should possess several extra functions. Sportswear, for example, should be windproof and water resistant, but also breathable and pretty to look at. Then there’s wash resistance and specific printing requirements you should take into account. There’s no room to name all the different coating possibilities, but you get the idea.
This is where we come in
We’re experienced coating experts, and we apply our knowledge of different coating types to your specific product type. Before we create your tailor-made coating, we carefully test your textiles samples in our lab at the Dutch headquarters, until we come up with a solution that meets all requirements and quality standards of your customers.