Cotton Incorporated conducted a survey and has come up with an exhaustive report on the world ideas for technological development in the textile industry. This article provides insight into technological ideas in processes, dyes and chemicals, equipment, and wastewater treatment that significantly reduce Water, Energy, and Chemicals (WEC) requirements.

Reduction of the WEC environmental footprint is best achieved in fabric preparation, dyeing, and finishing processes. Water is an especially important focus because reducing water use brings corresponding reductions in the energy required to heat water and, to a lesser extent, the amounts of chemicals and dyes used. The cotton textile industry can reduce the WEC environmental footprint by at least 50% by employing technologies currently used in modern plants located in the world's major textile production regions. The most advanced plants in reducing WEC employ a combination of options, including high-efficiency management practices, process control, special processes, and higher-cost machines designed for low water and chemical use, along with internal recycling of water and chemicals.

The technologies fall into the following four categories:

Process

Chemicals and dyes

Equipment

Wastewater treatment

Each technology is described briefly, with an emphasis on commercial operating experience as reported by the companies surveyed.

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