The companies are touting a newgreen process for denim finishing.

Resil Chemicals, one of Asia'sleading textile finishing chemicals and auxiliary manufacturer, has joinedforces with Acticell GmbH, an Austrian Chemical research company committed todeveloping environmentally friendly, sustainable textiles. The collaboration isfocused on developing a range of green, sustainable chemical solutions for thedenim industry.

Resil Chemicals is partnering withActicell GmbH to eliminate what they consider a hazardous process of usingpotassium permanganate spray in the denim industry.

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

"One of the innovativesolutions offered by this collaboration is to substitute potassium permanganatewith ACTIGO, a Laser Booster, powered by Green screen listed; patented Acticelltechnology," says Ganesh Srinivasan, executive director Innovation, ResilChemicals. ACTIGO enables jeans manufacturers to move to a new process thateliminates the need for potassium permanganate (PP) spray and hand sandprocess. The new process of denim treatment carried out prior to laser stephelps to create the new look as well as replicates denim effects similar to thatof hand sand and PP process on denim garments just by using ACTIGO - Lasercombinations.

ACTIGO, a laser activatedbleaching technology, also helps in improving laser productivity therebyproviding a cost neutral solution to switch over from PP sprays. Additionally,the new process saves water and energy in denim finishing and eliminates labourintensive hand sand, in addition to improving the safety of factory employees.

According to MS Vijayan, jointmanaging director, Resil Chemicals, the results from early stages ofdevelopment with major denim manufacturers have been very positive. "Thistreatment is now being used by major denim companies in North America and weseek to offer these solutions for South Asia."

AboutResil Chemicals

Resil Chemicals is aninnovation-driven, diversified chemical and performance materials manufacturer.In textiles, Resil provides cutting-edge solutions for the complete range ofspecialty finishes and auxiliaries. With a heritage of more than 25 years ofproduct development and innovation for the textile industry, Resil is today oneof Asia's leading innovative formulators of silicones for textiles. The productrange covers finishing, pre-treatment and specialty processes. Resil was one ofthe first companies to begin a process of transformation by exploring the powerof silicones in diverse industries. The company has developed new markets andnow serves agriculture, paper, leather, personal care and many other specialtychemical industries. Resil's innovative, emerging technologies includeantimicrobials for various industrial applications such as textiles, plastics,and leather. The company also offers customised advanced functional materialsfor various specialty applications.