StepChange Innovations Blog – Page 4 – Science and Technology Blog (by StepChange Innovations)

Enzymes – an eco-friendly alternative for the textile industry?

Post author:Florian Winkler
Post published:14/03/2014
Post category:Ecology Textile
Post comments:0 Comments

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.

Finally the digital revolution in textile ink jet printing has started

Post author:Christian Schumacher
Post published:06/02/2014
Post category:Textile
Post comments:1 Comment

Digital (ink jet) printing combines many advantages: easy coloration, direct printing off the computer screen, no screens, no colour kitchen, and attractive designs. Due to latest advances in printing speed technology a significantly accelerated growth of the technology is expected. The article outlines the drivers in this exiting market.

Greenpeace puts the spotlight on hazardous chemicals in childrenswear

Post author:Christian Schumacher
Post published:17/01/2014
Post category:Ecology Textile
Post comments:1 Comment

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”.

The risks and alternatives of APEO and NPEO in textiles part 2

Post author:Florian Winkler
Post published:06/01/2014
Post category:Ecology Textile
Post comments:3 Comments

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.

The risks and alternatives of APEO and NPEO in textiles part 1

Post author:Florian Winkler
Post published:26/11/2013
Post category:Ecology Textile
Post comments:0 Comments

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.

Einstein´s theory of relativity explains why mercury is liquid

Post author:Christian Schumacher
Post published:20/11/2013
Post category:Chemistry
Post comments:1 Comment

Scientists from New Zealand, France, and Germany have solved the old "mystery" why mercury is liquid at room temperature. The study used advanced computer models of theoretical chemistry to prove that the low melting point is due to mercury's special electron structure, something that can only be explained through Einstein's special theory of relativity.

The Detox Catwalk – Greenpeace launches a new type of fashion brand catwalk

Post author:Christian Schumacher
Post published:08/11/2013
Post category:Ecology Textile
Post comments:0 Comments

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.

Nobel Prizes 2013 for natural sciences awarded

Post author:Christian Schumacher
Post published:16/10/2013
Post category:Biology Chemistry Physics
Post comments:1 Comment

The 2013 Nobel Prizes in natural sciences have been awarded by The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. In physics, the Nobel Prize was awarded for the theoretical model which gives mass to all particles. In chemistry, the Nobel Prize was awarded for pioneering work in computational chemistry. In medicine, the Nobel Prize was awarded for discoveries of machinery regulating vesicle traffic, a major transport system in cells.

World´s leading scientists hang on to global warming story, despite declining rate of temperature increase

Post author:Christian Schumacher
Post published:04/10/2013
Post category:Ecology Energy
Post comments:1 Comment

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.

Technical background of water and soil repellent finishing on textiles

Post author:Christian Schumacher
Post published:13/08/2013
Post category:Chemistry Textile
Post comments:0 Comments

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 properties. In this article we discuss the technical and scientific background of water and oil repellent finishing on textiles, and will look into options for future, more sustainable technologies and chemical solutions.