A new, easy-to-use machine technology which will enable tanneries to re-engineer the leather finishing process in order to achieve economical, technical and environmental advantages.

Machinery and chemicals in harmony

Developed over several years, the Ascender is a unique solution that harmoniously integrates machinery and chemicals. It enables tanneries to re-engineer the leather finishing process, achieving significant improvements in hide quality while also providing the economic, technical, and environmental advantages necessary for growth in today’s industry.

Key benefits

  • Improves leather aesthetics and performance
  • Upgrades lower-quality hides
  • Modular production flexibility: standalone or inline
  • Reduces production cost and time
  • Lowers energy consumption
  • Available in three different sizes

Why was Ascender created?

From luxury goods to automotive applications, today’s consumers expect leather to excel in touch, aesthetics, and durability. In this competitive industry, leather manufacturers are constantly seeking ways to improve efficiency. Additionally, tanneries face increasing pressure from both regulators and consumers to reduce their environmental impact and transition to more sustainable processes.

Given these trends, the stage is set for a revolution in leather upgrading and finishing. Leveraging Stahl’s core expertise in chemistry and specialized experience in the leather sector, we facilitate significant improvements in finishing processes. This not only adds value for customers and meets consumer demands but also contributes to a reduced environmental footprint.

Additional Benefits

Production cost reduction

  • Highly efficient production output
  • Reduced handling of leathers
  • Lowest operational running cost compared to any other machine on the market
  • Reduced energy consumption (fi­rst estimation of savings between 30 – 40%)

Environmental

  • Reduced power consumption
  • Direct impact on your CO2 emissions
  • 100% recyclable release foil

What is Ascender?

The machine

The Ascender machine features a compact, modular setup that offers tanneries the flexibility to choose between standalone or inline production. 

The machine is available in three different formats to meet the diverse needs of various industries. The 1.8m version, suitable for side leathers, is ready for trials and sales. The 2.6m version and the 3.2m version, designed to treat full hides commonly used in the automotive industry

The versions are designed to ensure that multiple industries can use their current embossing rollers with the Ascender. This eliminates the need to purchase new rollers, helping companies minimize upfront costs and reduce waste.

Barnini, IM and Stahl have jointly developed a machinery and chemical solution to advance the next generation of leather processing. This new technology enables tanneries to enhance their leather articles and allows for the transformation of lower-quality hides into valuable finished goods, thereby promoting sustainability within the leather industry.

The chemistry

A distinctive portfolio was crafted and tailored for this specific application, utilizing top-tier high-performance solutions to guarantee superior leather quality. Solvent-free, amine-free, and low in VOCs, and meeting the stringent requirements of ZDHC MRSL, Version 3.1, Level 3.

Stahl’s chemical solutions are recommended to get the excellency of the Ascender system. 

Perfect for high-quality leather goods ranging from shoes to automotive applications, these compounds enhance leather with superior aesthetic properties and durability. While the Ascender machine can operate without these suggested chemicals, we strongly advise using both elements together to achieve the best results and maintain guarantees.

Technical advantages

The primary technical advantages of the Ascender leather finishing technology are detailed below:

Leather aesthetics improvement

  • Uniform embossing results (including belly areas)
  • Desired embossing depth, roundness and retention
  • Lower temperatures and less embossing pressure leading
  • to an Increased softness of the leather

Upgrading

High masking power with less use of auxiliaries and fi­llers inside basecoat. Uniform fresh melting of the Finishing layer which means:

  • Finishing is spread into leather defects.
  • Excellent print definition

Finishing performance improvement

Ascender technology enables to work with very low amounts of auxiliaries inside basecoat which helps to boost binders’ performance and overall finishing resistances.

Flexibility

Standalone solution or inline production layout, with the option to make a modular set-up.

Joep Nijkamp

Manager Ascender

We cordially invite you to conduct a trial in the Netherlands or Italy to assess the results firsthand. To set please contact and then detail

jn@im-innovating.nl

+31(0)657887423

We cordially invite you to conduct a trial in the Netherlands or Italy to assess the results firsthand. PLEASE CONTACT Mr. Joep Nijkamp