Softening Stabilizer for Fatliquoring
GREIBOPOL STE
GREIBOPOL STE is a specialised softening stabilizer developed for use in the fatliquoring process during pickle or mineral tanning. Applied on its own or in combination with suitable GREIBOSOL products, it significantly improves the distribution and penetration of fatliquoring agents throughout the leather fibre structure.
Uniform and deep penetration of fatliquor is essential for achieving the desired physical properties of finished leather, including softness, extensibility, tear resistance, and tensile strength. GREIBOPOL STE ensures that fatliquoring agents are evenly distributed and deeply absorbed into the fibre structure, preventing uneven lubrication and the associated risk of hard spots, stiffness, or surface defects in the finished leather.
The improved fatliquor penetration achieved with GREIBOPOL STE directly enhances key physical performance parameters such as tear strength and tensile strength, while delivering a consistently soft handle and full grain appearance across the entire hide.
GREIBOPOL STE is also suitable for washing already mineral-tanned leathers with a high natural grease content. In this application, it effectively emulsifies and evenly disperses the natural grease within the leather structure, ensuring that all subsequently applied chemicals can develop their full and optimal effect.
Pickled pelts and wet blue hides, which frequently tend to develop lay wrinkles, can be wetted back without difficulty following GREIBOPOL STE treatment, making it a particularly valuable processing aid in operations where reliable wetting back performance is critical.
Please note: GREIBOPOL STE is sensitive to frost and must be stored and transported accordingly.
Method of Use
Measure out the fatliquoring agent, add GREIBOPOL STE whilst stirring, then stir water into the mixture at 60°C.
Key Benefits
Characteristics
| Base: | Fatty alcohols |
| Appearance: | Clear yellowish product |
| Chemical treatment: | Sulphated |
| pH of a 10 % emulsion: | About 6-8 |
| Charge: | Anionic |
Properties
| Light fastness: | Very good |
| Heat resistance: | Very good |
| mineral tanning floats: | Excellent |
Application Examples
GREIBOPOL STE is suitable for use across a range of post-tanning operations wherever improved fatliquor stability, distribution, and penetration are required for consistent leather quality.
During pickle or mineral tanning, GREIBOPOL STE is added to the fatliquor formulation to ensure deep and uniform distribution of lubricating agents throughout the collagen fibre network, contributing to even softness, tight grain, and reliable physical performance across the full hide surface.
In the processing of wet blue hides and pickled pelts that tend to develop lay wrinkles, GREIBOPOL STE prepares the leather structure for wetting back without complications, reducing the risk of surface damage or uneven rehydration during subsequent processing steps.
In the washing of already mineral-tanned leathers with elevated natural grease content, GREIBOPOL STE emulsifies and disperses natural fat evenly, creating the clean and receptive substrate required for optimal uptake of retanning agents, dyes, and finishing chemicals.
| Car upholstery leathers: | |
| Prefatliquoring | 4.0 % GREIBOSOL LFM (% based on shaved weight)
1.0 % GREIBOPOL STE (% based on shaved weight) |
| Mainfatliquoring | 7.0 % GREIBOSOL LFM (% based on shaved weight)
0.5 % GREIBOPOL STE (% based on shaved weight) |
| Wetting back garment or upholstery-Nappa, crusted: | 0.5 -2.0 % GREIBOPOL STE (% based on dry weight) |
Legal Information
GREIBOPOL STE has a shelf life of up to approximately one year. The product is sensitive to frost and must be stored and transported protected from freezing temperatures at all times.
The information contained in this publication is based on our current knowledge and practical experience. It does not relieve the user of the responsibility to conduct their own tests and assessments, particularly with regard to any influences that may arise during the processing and application of our products. No legally binding guarantee of specific properties or suitability for a particular purpose can be inferred from the information provided herein. It is the sole responsibility of the recipient to observe any applicable intellectual property rights as well as all relevant laws and regulations.