Common themes that were apparent in the products shown by dyestuff and chemical suppliers at ITMA
2011, held last September in Barcelona, Spain, were reduced energy and water consumption, and
reduction in the amount of time required for effective wet processing. In addition, an emphasis on
sustainability by the use of renewable raw materials was evident.
CHT R. Beitlich GmbH, Germany, presented a variety of textile chemical auxiliaries
that were developed to reduce water and energy usage. The iFlash bleaching system incorporates a
hydrogen peroxide activating detergent, Felosan IFA, to produce a prepare-for-dye cotton fabric
using minimal alkali in a reduced-temperature, shortened bleach cycle. Dispersgator XHT-S is
designed to provide dispersing and leveling for polyester package dyeing. A new series of leveling
agents comprising Sarabid IPD, Sarabid IPF and Sarabid IPM was introduced to provide superior
dyeing uniformity of nylon and nylon-blend fabrics. Two new agents for removing surface dye,
Cotoblanc PCS for soaping reactive dyes and Redulit GIN for reduction clearing of disperse dyes,
were shown. Chemical finishes applied as foams were suggested as ways to reduce water and energy
requirements. In the functional finishing area, CHT presented chemical systems for enhanced fabric
stretch and moisture management.
Clariant International Ltd., Switzerland, showed several new textile chemical
auxiliaries. The Blue Magic bleaching process with Imerol® Blue liq provides properly prepared
cotton goods and requires 50-percent less water, 50-percent less process time and 40-percent less
energy than conventional processes. In line with the worldwide concern over perfluorooctanoic acid
(PFOA) from C8 fluorochemistry, Clariant developed its Nuva® N series repellent finishes using C6
fluorocarbons. The Pekoflam® ECO/SYN flame-retardant (FR) system for cotton and cotton-rich blends
is free of Oeko-Tex®-restricted materials. For man-made fibers, Pekoflam HFC, a powder-coated FR
auxiliary, was offered. Microencapsulated cosmetics can be applied to textiles via the Quiospheres®
product line, developed and promoted jointly by Clariant and brand owner Lipotec S.A., Spain, and
distributed by Clariant. A foam-applied wrinkle-free process for cotton, Foam Eco Care, offers
superior flex abrasion performance and shortened drying times. Sanitized® TH 22-27 — produced by
Sanitized AG, Switzerland, and distributed by Clariant — is an effective antimicrobial that can be
applied from dye baths to polyester and nylon.
The active microencapsulated cosmetic ingredients in Quiospheres®, a fabric treatment
developed jointly by Clariant and Lipotec, are gradually released by the finished garment or
product onto the skin in a scientifically measured process over an extended period of
time.
Thailand-based
CPAC Textile offered SPX-50, a textile chemical auxiliary that is purported to be
able to replace many other auxiliaries in preparation and dyeing, as well as to reduce process
time, water consumption, energy usage and environmental impact.
Singapore-based
DyStar showed several new series of Dianix dyes. Dianix AM dyes are recommended
for polyester automotive fabrics that have high lightfastness requirements, while Dianix XS/SF dyes
are suggested for polyester and polyester-blend fabrics that have stringent washfastness
requirements. Sera® Gal C-RFX was introduced as an auxiliary that allows cotton to be scoured and
dyed simultaneously.
Everlight Chemical, Taiwan, presented the Everjet RT-E5 series of fiber reactive
dyes formulated for high-speed ink-jet printing, and providing good storage stability and minimum
shade drift during long print runs.
HeiQ Materials AG, Switzerland, showed several unique specialty chemicals. The
Adaptive by HeiQ system provides fabrics with dynamic wicking properties that increase as
temperatures rise, so that more moisture is moved as the fabric temperature increases. Good
repellency can be imparted to fabrics with the Barrier by HeiQ system, which incorporates
fluorocarbon repellents with silica particles to form a “Lotus Leaf” surface on substrates. A
silver-based antimicrobial product, Pure by HeiQ, is available for both pad and exhaust
applications.
The AVITERA™ SE dyes offered by
Huntsman Textile Effects, Singapore, are trifunctional fiber reactive dyes that
provide high exhaustion, good washfastness and high reproducibilty when dyeing cotton
fabrics. Using Avitera SE dyes can reduce water and energy usage by as much as 50 percent
while still providing high-quality product through the drastically shortened dye and wash-off
cycles. The reduced carbon footprint obtained provides additional benefits.
Huntsman Textile Effects’ AVITERA™ SE dyes provide high exhaustion, good washfastness and high
reproducibility when dyeing cotton fabrics.
LJ Specialities Ltd., United Kingdom, demonstrated the unique properties of
Itoguard LJC6OR, a novel finishing agent that provides water absorbency, oil repellency and
soil-release properties in one product. The Itochange Wet finish has the property of being opaque
when dry and transparent when wet, a characteristic that lends itself to novel finishing effects.
Novozymes A/S, Denmark, introduced Denimax® Core, an enzyme system that allows
denim garments to be desized and abraded in one step. This combination process utilizes 50-percent
less water with minimal backstaining compared with other desizing processes.
Germany-based
Pulcra Chemicals GmbH presented BreviolDenim®, a technology that incorporates a
rinse bath fixative for indigo and sulfur dyes, and leads to improved dyeing consistency and
heightened dye utilization.
A custom textile chemicals manufacturer that began by producing leather and rubber
chemicals,
Schill+Seilacher GmbH, Germany, offers a variety of products from fiber spin
finishes to textile finishes. The super-hydrophilic Silastol PHP 26 finds use as an absorbent
finish for diapers. Ukanol ES is a non-halogen FR additive that is incorporated in polymer melts
prior to extrusion.
The Netherlands-based
Tanatex Chemicals displayed a truly novel textile chemical finish. Actipro™ is a
probiotic finish that applies harmless bacteria to fabric. These bacteria colonize the fabric
surface, preventing pathogenic bacteria from growing while preserving the natural and necessary
skin flora. The EPIC3 Extraordinary Programme for Innovative C2C Cellulosics Cycle program provides
cotton processing auxiliaries that biodegrade back to their initial safe raw materials.
July/August/September 2012