Low-impact manufacturing chemicals that deliver the desired performance

At our 11 R&D centers around the world, our researchers develop performance solutions that reduce environmental impact, both by moving away from petrochemical sources and developing products that are free of identified restricted substances.

The Stahl Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) for low-impact products

As Stahl, we have made an important commitment to phase out restricted substances as part of developing low-impact products. This has led us to develop our own, more stringent, Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) that we comply with in addition to adhering to other recognized MRSLs in the market, like ZDHC MRSL.

The Stahl MRSL ensures that the additional substances it lists cannot be used in the development of new products. Our list represents a combination of substances found in recognized industry MRSLs plus substances that we deem to be undesirable for the future. This has implications for our suppliers, and we inform them whenever we update our list of potentially restricted materials.

Stahl’s continuous commitment to Responsible Chemistry

For over 40 years, we have been removing, replacing and reducing solvents and substances, showing our continuous commitment to Responsible Chemistry. From the introduction of our first water-based polyurethane coating in 1978, the launch of our water-based carbodiimide crosslinkers in 2004 to the extension of our Stahl Neo® portfolio with wet-end solutions in 2019.

We have summarized the most important milestones in our infographic ‘Stahl’s continuous commitment to Responsible Chemistry’.

Partnerships for sustainable new materials

As an expert in responsible chemistry, we not only aim to improve our own environmental footprint, we also aim to help others make materials more sustainable. How do you ensure these breakthrough materials have the performance you require and the aesthetics you want? By working with our customers and partners to develop sustainable solutions for new material technologies.

Renewable and hazardless end-products for textile and synthetic rubber industries

Aimed at developing 100% renewable and hazardless end-products for the textile and synthetic rubber industries, Stahl is part of the EU-funded Bio NIPU project. The textile industry wants to manufacture at least 20% if its products from biomaterials. The project, therefore, focuses on research into alternative materials for polyurethane synthesis. Fully renewable resources, such as residues from sugar and the production of biofuels, natural oils and fats, are used to develop biobased polyurethane. The sustainability of this bio NIPU will be evaluated by means in a Life Cycle Assessment in order to identify the best composition for large scale production.

As well as Stahl, the other project partners are Centexbel, Maastricht University, Thomas More Kempen and Limburg Urethaan Chemie (LUC) and Stahl International.