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Ecology
StepChange Innovations blog covers ecology issues
Enzymes – an eco-friendly alternative for the textile industry?
With the increasingly important requirement for textile manufacturers to reduce pollution in textile production, the use of enzymes in the chemical processing of fibers and textiles is rapidly gaining wider recognition. Enzymes are non-toxic and eco-friendly. They can be safely used in a wide selection of textile processes such as de-sizing, scouring, bleaching, dyeing and finishing, where the traditional alternatives are very harsh chemicals whose disposal into the environment causes many problems. The article gives an introduction to enzyme technology. Continue reading
Greenpeace puts the spotlight on hazardous chemicals in childrenswear
Greenpeace revealed a new investigation on hazardous chemicals found in childrenswear to increase the pressure on leading fashion brands, a campaign that started in 2011 as “Detox campaign”. Continue reading
The risks and alternatives of APEO and NPEO in textiles part 2
The second part of this article series gives information about alternative products, global regulations and environmental advantages, after the ban of APEO in Europe. Moreover, the results of the Greenpeace research about nonylphenol ethoxylate residues in textiles are discussed opposite the joined efforts of the ZDHC project. Continue reading
The risks and alternatives of APEO and NPEO in textiles part 1
The environmental activist group Greenpeace runs the Detox campaign requesting from international fashion brands to eliminate alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEOs) from their supply chain. In response to the Detox campaign, a group of international retailers has established a roadmap for “zero discharge of hazardous chemicals” (ZDHC) which has the aim of eliminating 11 substance groups between 2013 and 2020. At the present time, strong focus in the ZDHC programme is put on APEOs (alkylphenols and their ethoxylates), in particular on NPEOs (Nonophenol ethoxylates). This report will show the use, the risks and alternatives of APEOs. Continue reading
The Detox Catwalk – Greenpeace launches a new type of fashion brand catwalk
Greenpeace launched the Detox Catwalk, an interactive online platform assessing the progress made by major clothing companies towards a toxic-free future. ZDHC founders adidas, Nike and LiNing only rated as greenwashers. Continue reading
World´s leading scientists hang on to global warming story, despite declining rate of temperature increase
Climate change due to global warming continues to be a major threat for the world, according to the recently released IPCC report, the leading source for the assessment of climate change. Despite declining rate of temperature increase, the world´s leading climate scientists re-enforce warnings on global warming. Continue reading
Jeans bleaching – advantages and risks of different bleaching processes – part 3
The last part of the article series compares the different methods in jeans bleaching, which have been elaborated in detail in part 2, and summarize their advantages and disadvantages. The used chemicals in each of the processes are assessed against ecological criteria, especially considering the targets the ZDHC program, in order to find processes with low environmental impact. The target is to select processes which have a good price/performance level and a, good reproducibility, while using environmentally friendly chemicals, or avoid the use of chemicals. Continue reading
Jeans bleaching – advantages and risks of different bleaching processes – part 2
In this part different jeans bleaching processes are discussed, their benefits and features as well as their problems. The study is looking at chemical and mechanical treatments for open-pocket machines for fabrics and single garments. The methods discussed include bleaching processes using hypochlorite, permanganate, hydrogen peroxide, organic peroxides, laccase, ozone, glucose, sandblasting, electrochemical and laser engraving Continue reading
Greenpeace puts pressure on outdoor brands to phase out fluorocarbon chemistry
Greenpeace increases the pressure on leading retail brands. The environmental pressure group revealed data on hazardous fluorocarbons, PFOA, PFOS and others, tested on outdoor textiles from leading brands. We had a closer look at the report and discuss the issue in light of the progress in the ZDHC programme. Continue reading
Jeans bleaching – advantages and risks of different bleaching processes – part 1
Jeans have become very popular across all age groups, and genders. Popular fashion shades include many styles and colors, from dark blue to bright blue and from black to grey. To obtain pale shades, jeans are usually bleached. This first article gives an overview of the working sequence and key requirements of the bleaching process Continue reading
Popular Posts
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Enzymes – an alternative for wet processing of denim
Denim wet processing using chemicals is one of the pollution causing processes in thetextile mills. Textile garment manufactures use numerousbers of acutely toxic chemicals of which many are classifie...
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Sustainable colouration concepts: waterless dyeing
This article series is about latest trends and future perspectives in coloration technologies. This part is about coloration using waterless dyeing concepts which is based on supercritical carbon diox...
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Will the textile industry move out of China?
The textile industry in China, challenged by increasing labour cost, may be bound to move to other countries. The article discusses the cost structure in the textile industry and the importance of Chi...
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Dyeing with supercritical CO2 – finally a success story?
Dyeing in supercritical CO2 could finally be on track for success after 25 years of development. Originally an idea of German universities, it was developed and brought to market by the Dutch start-up...
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Camouflage colours inspired by nature
Another brilliant example of a new material for camouflage colour effects, inspired by nature. Scientists at the University of California have created a thin, flexible material that changes colour whe...
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Ionic liquids for the textile industry – part 1
The article reviews and discusses ionic liquids, a comparably new substance class, for the potential applications in the textile industry. This relates to fibre manufacturing and coloration.
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The risks and alternatives of APEO and NPEO in textiles part 2
The second part of this article series gives information about alternative products, global regulations and environmental advantages, after the ban of APEO in Europe. Moreover, the results of the Gree...
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Technical background of water and soil repellent finishing on textiles
Perfluorinated fluorocarbon (PFC) polymers provide the best performance for water and oil repellent finishing on textiles, but there are serious concerns regarding their environmental and toxic proper...
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Detox in the textile industry – real progress or Potemkin villages? Part 1
We cast light on the progress of the Detox campaign in the fashion & textile industry. Detox is an initiative started by Greenpeace to challenge the business practice of global fashion brands who sour...
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Carbon Concrete Researchers win German Future Prize 2016
Carbon Concrete researchers of Technische Universität Dresden in Germany win the German Future Prize 2016. The new material could possibly replace steel enforced concrete in the construction industry...
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Hemp as a sustainable textile fibre?
Hemp is discussed as a more sustainable alternative to cotton. There are many environmental advantages of hemp compared to cotton. However, the advantages are partly offset by various technical challe...
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Are excess heat and isotope changes in e-cat LENR reactor real? Part 1
A group of Swedish and Italian scientists published technical papers that seem to confirm excess heat in a low energy nuclear reaction (LENR) device called e-cat. The scientists found in the ash of th...