General Silicones touts green alternative to marine upholstery

HSINCHU, Taiwan—When it comes to marine upholstery, General Silicones Co. Ltd. believes it has a real solution to faux leather.

The silicone product manufacturer is touting its Compo-Sil technology as a green, vegan alternative to the "toxic" leather and leatherette materials used for marine upholstery.

"The extreme environment of the marine environment so far required upholstery companies to rely on faux leather products based on expanded vinyl," the company said in a news release. "Unfortunately, those products are a mix of vinyl plastic and a high percentage of PVC, a plastic notorious for its toxicity during manufacturing, disposal and as a microplastic source."

Silicone offers an eco-friendly alternative, the company said, since it is non-toxic and free of phenylpropanolamine (PPA), lead, latex and halogens.

"Silicone rubber does not decay into microplastic waste," General Silicones said. "When burned or disposed of in landfills, silicone rubber will convert back into inorganic, harmless ingredients: amorphous silica, carbon dioxide and water vapor. Thus, it does not pose a threat to the environment, wildlife and ecosystems."

Mildew does not grow on Compo-Sil, General Silicones said, and it can be customized to have antibacterial properties. The product can be glued to metal and plastics or combined with other textiles in roll-to-roll processing.

"Silicone rubber is not sensitive to fast temperature changes, does not soften under dry heat and remains flexible under extremely low temperatures," the release said. "It does not degrade from solar radiation, does not stain and is resistant to engine oil and fuel damage.

"As a result, it is perfect for marine indoor and heavy-duty outdoor upholstery."