Huntsman's other new products in the pipeline include the Gentle Power Bleach, for sustainability in textiles and the latest Novacron S (from its flagship reactive dye range for cellulosics) for brilliant shades.

Meanwhile, the textile chemicals business division of BASF, a German chemical giant, offers textile auxiliaries for weaving, pre-treatment and dyeing, as well as solutions for pigment printing, finishing and textile coatings.

Advanced Capabilities

Yoko Koike, head of communications for textile chemicals at BASF, says a new technology named Texapret E electroconductive textiles (E-Textiles) combines typical textile properties with electrical or metallic functions such as thermal and electrical conductivity.

A new textile coating solution based on its Texapret range is also launched for manufacturing artificial leather used for furniture.

BASF also offers a variety of solutions for home textile applications with self-cleaning effects and water, oil and dirt repellency qualities. One example is an active ingredient in washing agents based on nanotechnology called Mincor for removing stubborn dirt particles by simply washing with water.

Danish biochemical group Novozymes meanwhile, is concentrating on providing bio-based solutions to improve industrial textile performance. The company has pioneered bio-polishing-which aims to create a smooth fabric appearance and introduce a degree of softness without the use of traditional, synthetic additive chemicals. In a typical biopolishing process, cellulase enzymes modify the surface of cotton fabrics in a manner that permanently prevents pilling, or wear, and increases smoothness and softness

Two key Novozymes biopolishing products are: Cellusoft Combi (currently its best-selling product) and Cellusoft CR, according to Suresh Chandran, global marketing director - textiles and leather at Novozymes Malaysia. The Cellusoft Combi allows for combined bio-polishing and bleach clean-up in one step, and can be added to the dyeing process. Cellusoft Combi can reduce processing time by 45-50% compared to traditional acid biopolishing, reduces water usage and improves the fabric appearance. Mills can actually save money by using the neutral process compared to traditional acid biopolishing and is cost-neutral if the mill does not currently biopolish," says Chandran.

Apart from technologies that enhance the easy care, performance and durability factors of textiles, technologies that offer protection from the elements are also important.

Solar Protection

Austrian fibers company Lenzing, has developed a new fiber with solar protection, according to Christina Kreuzwieser, head of global marketing communications in the textiles business unit. The Tencel Sun Fiber has an incorporated permanent pigment integration and inherent long-term UV protection as well as optimum moisture transport.

Another increasingly important property for textiles is flame retardancy.

A 2007 report by global consultancy Frost & Sullivan found that carbon nanotubes could be more affordable and useful to industrial areas, including the flame retardant materials market for a vast range of uses, such as textiles, automobiles and furniture.

The report revealed that nanotubes increase fire resistance, while enhancing material strength and providing an electrostatic discharge effect, and are more sought-after than their cheaper brother, carbon nanofibers, because the particles provide nonflammability with relatively small concentration compared to the other fillers.

Krzysztof Grzybowski, industry analyst at Frost & Sullivan for its Technical Insights group, says: "Phosphorous-based flame retardants will be the best market for nanotubes as a flame-suppressing agent to pursue in the future. As prices for this additive fall, there will be an improvement in know-how among developers and an awareness among end-users about their beneficial features."

In the area of renewable resources, NatureWorks, owned by US industrial group Cargill, supplies the naturally renewable polylactide biopolymer under the Ingeo brand name. Meanwhile, new technologies are being developed in the area of recycling. In the textile and clothing sector, recycling can take several forms. Brazilian designer Marcia Ganem uses recycled polyamide fibers from car seat belts for her unique hand-crafted designs, as seen at the PURE fashion trade show, in London, UK, in August.

Courtesy: Lucia Carpio

Originally published in New Cloth Market: September 2009