Recycling of finishing compounds

Finishing chemicals for all kinds of performance aspects of textile goods exist in great variety, and recycling options of these chemicals are largely unexplored. As mentioned previously, chemicals used for finishes such as easy-care, hydrophobic, flame-retardant and soil-release, are usually applied in combination with hand-builders, softeners and other auxiliaries. Their separation and subsequent re-use is problematic and very little has been published in this area. Their impact on the effluent treatment and quality, monitored as BOD and COD is, however, significant. 

Teichmann (1993) performed extensive research on the potential re-use of finishing chemicals. It was found that non-reactive compounds, such as polyolefins, paraffin, fatty acid derivatives and organosiUcone compounds, have a higher potential for reclamation than reactive chemicals, as could be expected. Storage conditions and duration of storage played a major role. Better results could be achieved with little contaminated products if kept at lower tanperature and with the exclusion of oxygen. 

Fluorochemicals are widespread compounds which are used in soil-release and 

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