presence in Singapore will grow significantly. The facility is expected to expand
to over 300 employees by 2020. It will be
part of DuPont’s global network of thirteen innovation centers and 150 research
and development centers worldwide, focusing on bringing new science-based innovations to customers everywhere.
Covestro Expands INSQIN
Partner Program
Polymer materials supplier Covestro
is extending its INSQIN Partner
Manufacturer Program with the newly
signed partner, Kunshan Xiefu New
Material Co., Ltd., a China-based producer of PU coated fabric for global markets. The two companies will collaborate
to promote sustainable PU materials in
sectors such as fashion apparel and footwear, to name a few.
Launched in July 2015, the INSQIN®
Partner Manufacturer Program con-
nects manufacturers and brand owners
across the polyurethane (PU)-coated
fabric supply chain. Partners must
demonstrate an ongoing commitment
to sustainability and transparency, us-
ing Covestro’s waterborne, PU coating
technology and industry-leading pro-
cesses to meet the emerging sustainabil-
ity needs of brand owners.
Xeifu is the second company to earn
a place in the prestigious Program, after
Korean PU synthetic materials manufacturer Duksung Co., Ltd. It is also the first
Chinese company joining the Program.
“A growing number of brands and re-
tailers are becoming interested in sourc-
ing sustainable materials, and further,
they need more assurances about the
origins and integrity of those materi-
als. The Program was developed to link
these brands with manufacturers capable
of efficiently delivering innovative ma-
terials and sustainability best practice,”
said Nick Smith, Global Head of Textile
Coatings, Covestro. “We are proud to
welcome Xiefu to the Program and look
forward to supporting the growth of
sustainable PU-coated textiles
for the fashion apparel and foot-
wear market worldwide.”
Under the Program, Covestro
will provide world-class technical sup-
port to help Xiefu further develop its use
of the INSQIN® technology. Xiefu will
also receive verification of its production
processes and management systems via a
globally recognized third-party audit.
“Xiefu is committed to customer-centric
innovation and sustainability to serve the
world’s most demanding brands. We are
pleased to be recognized as a key partner
of Covestro, with the technology, processes and skills to deliver exciting new
PU products through sustainable manufacturing,” said Sun Guohao, Chairman
of Kunshan Xiefu New Material Co., Ltd.
“As a mark of our quality and professionalism, our validation as an INSQIN Partner
Manufacturer will help bring new business
opportunities by connecting us with brand
owners and retailers that want to source
sustainable PU-coated materials.” CW
