Introduction to eco-friendly processes

New applieations and improved applicability of many fibres used for clothing, industrial materials and interior decoration require the provisions of new properties in areas sueh as dyeability, static resistance, current control, stain resistance, water absorption, hydrophilicity, water repellency, adhesive ability and so on. There are surface treatment methods that additionally increase the value of textile materials. The methods can be classified as chemical treatment (wet) methods and physieal treatment (dry) methods. Chemical treatment methods are most often used in actual practice. Because of the large amount of energy involved and the high consumption of water and consequently increase of pollution, these techniques are costly and not eco-fiiendly. In addition, these processes treat the fabric in bulk, something which is uimecessaiy and may adversely affect overall product performance. Problems related to toxicity and other health hazards have resulted in the replacement of chemical processing by more eco-friendly physical methods. The physical treatment processes are dry, which makes it possible to preserve certain properties intrinsic to textile materials they are likely to affect the surface of the materials. Therefore the researchers are extensively studying the possibilities of physical surface treatments as alternatives to the chemical treatments. 

Similarly there are many certifying organizations which test and certify that finished goods are up to the mark of importing standards. The certification by these organizations either for the product or for process is called ecolabelling. 

Some dyes and chemical manufacturers like Huntsman delivers a range of irmovative effects, which  

The goals of cotton textile processing for producing sustainable products are to reduce water use, energy use, and chemical use use safer/ greener chemicals and minimize inputs to the enviromnent (air, water, solid waste). Post-harvest handling/processing of cotton includes  

Peracetic acid (Steiner N, 1995, Evaluation of peracetic acid as an environmentally friendly alternative for hypochorite . Textile Chemist Colorist 27 (8), pp. 29-32) as well as a waterless bleaching system that uses oxygen gas (Mowbray J 2008, Light fantastic , Ecotextile News No. 17 Aug/ Sep, pp. 22-24) have been reported as alternate and enviromnent-friendly methods for bleaching cotton. Ozone also can be used as another waterless process to bleach cotton. Bleaching removes residual impiuities and changes the natural color of cotton fabric to clear white rather than the off-white (i.e. various shades of yellow). 

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