Resil Chemicals, Acticell to develop sustainable chemicals

Resil Chemicals has partnered with Acticell GmbH to eliminate what they consider a hazardous process of using potassium permanganate spray in the denim industry.

Most denim manufacturers rely on hazardous and environmentally damaging chemical processes like potassium permanganate treatments to create effects on denim. Potassium permanganate, considered as a toxic and hazardous substance, is sprayed onto the denim fabric with a hand spray gun, exposing the factory employees to the danger of exposure to micro particles of potassium permanganate.

"One of the innovative solutions offered by this collaboration is to substitute potassium permanganate with Actigo, a laser booster, powered by green screen listed; patented Acticell technology," said Ganesh Srinivasan, executive director innovation, Resil Chemicals.

Actigo enables jeans manufacturers to move to a new process that eliminates the need for potassium permanganate (PP) spray and hand sand process. The new process of denim treatment carried out prior to Laser step helps to create the new look as well as replicates denim effects similar to that of hand sand and PP process on denim garments just by using Actigo-laser combinations.

Actigo, a laser activated bleaching technology also helps in improving laser productivity thereby providing a cost neutral solution to switch over from potassium permanganate sprays. Additionally, the new process saves water and energy in denim finishing and eliminates labour intensive hand sand and not to mention improving the safety of factory employees.

According to MS Vijayan, joint managing director, Resil Chemicals, the results from early stages of development with major denim manufacturers have been very positive. "This treatment is now being used by major denim companies in North America and we seek to offer these solutions for South Asia." (KD)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India