CellusoftCR, Novozymes latest product, helps textile manufacturers to boost the qualityand finish of their fabrics.
Mostfabrics containing natural cotton fibres have tiny, loose or protruding yarnsdotted over their surface, giving them a fuzzy texture. With repeated wearingand washing, these yarns break and their ends become tangled, resulting inpilling, which can make fairly new garments look old and worn. Bio-Polishingremoves projecting fibres to improve the texture and appearance of fabrics. Thisnot only creates a smoother fabric with resistance to pilling, but alsoimproves softness, luster and drape. In short, Bio-Polished fabrics look betterand last longer. Bio-Polishing uses a group of enzymes called cellulases. Theseenzymes have the ability to degrade cellulose, the basic structural buildingblock of plants and the major constituent of other cellulosic fibres.
When theenzymes are applied to the fabric, they partially digest excess and protrudingyarns, loosening them from the fabric. The resulting fuzz is then removed byhigh-speed mechanical agitation of the fabric, for example in a jet dyer.
Sensitivecellulases
However,this process has been hampered by the sensitivity of conventional Bio-Polishingenzymes to pH. Most cellulases will only operate effectively across a verynarrow, acidic pH range. Even very small differences in pH can alter theperformance and effect of the enzymes.
All thismeans that manufacturers must take great care to ensure that the solution is atthe correct pH for the enzyme to work properly and that the pH is uniformthroughout the solution. The processes taking place before Bio-Polishing, forexample bleaching and dyeing, require a high, alkaline pH. Operators musttherefore carefully adjust the pH of the solution by adding acid prior toBio-Polishing.
The timetaken to adjust the pH and wait for even circulation can significantly draw outthe Bio-Polishing process. Seemingly trivial differences in pH between batchescan lead to variability in the finish of the end product. Worse still, theacidic pH needed for optimum enzyme performance can reduce the dye retention ofthe fabric, resulting in color fading.
A newgeneration of Bio-Polishing
Novozymeslatest product, Cellusoft CR, is an easy-to-use, fast-acting cellulasespecially developed to improve Bio-Polishing in the textile industry. But whatsets Cellusoft CR apart from the conventional cellulases used in Bio-Polishing? Han Kuilderd, mill industry manager at Novozymes, explains:Cellusoft CR is unique in that it allows Bio-Polishing under neutralconditions. The key advantage of Cellusoft CR is that it operates across a muchwider pH range than the conventional cellulases used in Bio-Polishing. Thiseliminates the need to adjust the pH of the solution after dyeing or bleaching,reducing the total time needed for the Bio-Polishing process. Furthermore,because the enzyme can operate optimally over a wider pH range, smalldifferences in pH do not affect the finish of the final product. In other words,Cellusoft CR ensures consistency of the end product with each and every batch.
There areother advantages too. Cellusoft CR has excellent color retention propertieswhen used on dyed fabrics. It minimizes fabric weight loss in Bio-Polishing.And it produces a visibly smoother fabric with lower lint formation and highertensile strength.
Cost-effectivequality in no time
Bio-Polishinghas the potential to give textile manufacturers a clear edge over theircompetitors. But up to now many have avoided Bio-Polishing altogether becauseof poor repeatability and the time needed to complete the process. Others onlyconsider using Bio-Polishing as a remedial measure for fabrics in which pillingis identified as a problem.
With Cellusoft CR, Novozymes offers textile manufacturers areliable, cost-effective Bio-Polishing solution. With its broad pH range (pH5-8), Cellusoft CR can be easily incorporated into standard protocols to improve the quality of a multitude of fabrics. Cellusoft CR is ideal for alltextile manufacturers, whether they are currently using Bio-Polishing or not,says Han Kuilderd. Besides the readily visible effects on fabric quality, thebroad pH profile of Cellusoft CR will help manufacturers to reduce acidconsumption, processing times and batch failures. And this ultimately adds upto cost-savings.
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