UK's SDC issues urgent low carbon call for textile colouration

The white paper aims to summarise exemplary practice, and to inspire the wider sector. The white paper is intended as inspiration for change showcases technology and innovation now minimising use of water, energy, and petrochemicals, SDC said in a press release.

The study includes a total of six case studies from the UK, Switzerland, Sweden, and Germany explain methods developed and established over recent years as well as brand-new innovation including the use of local agricultural waste to create clean dyes, and micro-organisms to synthesise colours of nature – negating the need for petrochemicals.

The SDC is increasingly taking a global lead on the encouragement and promotion of environmental good practice – as well as providing the educational background that makes it possible – in line with members’ interests and concerns in this area.

“We have the technological potential to create a new era for our sector and our white paper is fuel for vital, urgent conversation. We know that many companies are already investing in better practice and ways to achieve circularity, and this is real progress. But much more needs to happen to bring this burgeoning new era into the mainstream,” Andrew Filarowski, technical director of the SDC, said.

The SDC is calling on its network and the wider dyeing and coloration industry to use the white paper to help devise and deliver carbon lowering improvements across operations.

“For dye houses, print works, and laboratories keen to plan production and run processes more effectively, and report clearly on various metrics, this document provides a plethora of ideas and inspiration. For companies with a lot of scope to improve, it is not too late to start. In 2022 and beyond, every positive action to lower carbon, water usage or effluent discharge — and indeed all three — counts towards the brighter, greener future of our sector,” Andrew continued.