SUSTAINABLE CHEMICAL SOLUTIONS FOR TEXTILES AND CLEANING AGENTS

Chemicals are often used, for example, in technical textiles or cleaning agents. These substances can be harmful, meaning they are not always beneficial to people and the environment. At Schmits Chemical Solutions from Almelo, they believe that this can and should be done differently. Director Jurgen Bolscher discusses their innovative perspective on the chemical industry.

This story was first published in the Next Icons Magazine. You can read the entire magazine here.

When I think of chemical substances, I immediately think of Erlenmeyer flasks with colored liquids. Does that image match what you do?

Jurgen: “Yes, you will encounter those in our company. We specialize in making water-based and chemical solutions. We do this for three branches: technical textiles, high-quality cleaning agents, and contract work, where we mix, stir, package, and send a customer's recipe on assignment.”

And innovation in chemical solutions… What does that look like for you?

Jurgen: “In the textile industry, we have started working with chemical formulations that can give textiles different properties. Think of fire-retardant, water-repellent, harder or softer, anti-slip… All kinds of effects that make textiles suitable for the automotive industry, aircraft industry, construction industry, and so on. A concrete example that appeals to the imagination the most is our solution for the back coating of carpets. That is the back layer that ensures the strength of such a carpet. These are often not made of the same material as the top, which means they are not recyclable. That now goes into the incinerator, which is a major headache. We have developed a chemical solution for that that ensures that the top and bottom layers are made of the same material, so that it can be recycled again and it becomes a ‘closed loop’.”

So you are focusing on sustainable solutions. Does that set you apart? 

Jurgen: “Certainly. We are innovative by nature, and within that, we always look for the most sustainable solution. Also, when you look at our flame retardants, they are bromine and antimony free. These are very effective substances, but also very polluting. That is why we made a conscious choice never to use these substances. Another example is that seven years ago, we started developing PFAS-free solutions that give textiles water and dirt-repellent properties. Initially, there was little need for this in the market until PFAS became increasingly newsworthy. That shows how we are busy developing and reformulating existing solutions.”

Is that how you make an impact? 

Jurgen: “That is the goal, but in the right way. In our market, you often hear terms like biodegradable and bio-based. However, that does not always mean it is the smartest choice for the product. You must consider how the product is used and ensure that it aligns with the entire life cycle. We take that into account during development, and we continue until a solution truly fits. We are not the largest player in the market, but we are an innovative SME. That is why we want to comply with legislation and regulations regarding sustainability now, while this is not yet mandatory for SMEs. Furthermore, we also aim for the highest safety requirements in the field of fire retardants. As a result, we can say that we provide an added layer of safety in many European cars, for example. As a modest player in the market, we are unique in that, and I am proud of that.”

It sounds as if that innovative attitude is very natural for you. 

Jurgen: “That is also true. In fact, we try to enable our customers to stay ahead of their competition through our innovation. We are a link in the chain, so we need our customers to express their wishes, but we also need our suppliers to make those wishes a reality. An open attitude is therefore essential to us. That is why we do not have a patent policy, because you also have to actively protect a patent when it is violated. We prefer to focus on continuous innovation and staying one step ahead of the competition.”

Is that open attitude the key to success? 

Jurgen: “It’s not just an open attitude, sometimes there’s also a bit of luck involved. However, by intensively maintaining your network and doing your very best, you also achieve this. I once had a good conversation at a trade fair that didn’t lead to anything. A few years later, he called me with a new opportunity for us. That customer is now in our top 5 customers. That’s a combination of luck and hard work. It requires continuous perseverance and investing in your network. We also believe in the power of collaboration, where you give without expecting anything in return. In the end, you have to do it together. Not just in Twente, but throughout Europe.”