Members of the Swedish Textile Machinery Association (TMAS) have proven to be crucial in pioneering new sustainable processes for dyeing, surface treatment and decoration of textiles. TMAS members Baldwin Technology and Coloreel both presented solutions for sustainable finishing and decoration at the recent Sustainable Finishing of Textiles conference.

At the conference, which was held over three separate afternoons on 30 September, 1 October and 7 October, the delegates were told that Sweden will introduce increased producer responsibility (EPR) for waste textiles and clothing in early 2022, ahead of the adoption of a similar EU-wide EPR system. 2025

In Sweden, this is already leading to the establishment of advanced digital sorting and recycling infrastructure, and from a brand perspective, H&M is now a leader in terms of both addressing circularity from its suppliers and minimizing its own waste. Swedish companies are also active in the development of new fibers derived from waste clothing, which is based on the country’s previous leadership in pulp and paper production.

Members of the Swedish Textile Machinery Association (TMAS) have proven to be crucial in pioneering new sustainable processes for dyeing, surface treatment and decoration of textiles. TMAS members Baldwin Technology and Coloreel both presented solutions for sustainable finishing and decoration at the recent Sustainable Finishing of Textiles conference.

At the Sustainable Finishing of Textiles conference, however, it was said that all the environmental benefits that such sustainable new fibers make can potentially be undone in the further processing they are subjected to – and especially in resource-intensive conventional dyeing, finishing and decoration. , TMAS said in a media release. Baldwin Technology and Coloreel have both developed solutions to solve this problem.

Baldwin’s VP of Global Business Development Rick Stanford explained during the conference that his company’s TexCoat G4 non-contact spray technology significantly reduces water, chemical and energy consumption in the finishing process. It sprays consistent and uniform chemistry over a fabric surface and applies it only where needed, on one or both sides.

“Customers can expect no contamination of the bath during the finishing process, as well as minimal downtime during replacements, which is easily done with prescription management that includes automatic chemistry and choice of coverage,” he said.

TexCoat G4 also does not waste any chemistry when changing color, fabric or chemistry, and since only the required volume of chemistry is applied to the fabric, wet uptake levels can be reduced by up to 50 percent – leading to 50 percent less water and energy consumption compared to conventional finishing processes. . In addition, several customers combine TexCoat Spray and back-coating in series before the stent. This simplifies the production process from two steps to one, which provides both drying savings and productivity increases.

Coloreel’s CEO Mattias Nordin described the advantages of his company’s technology, which enables high – quality and immediate dyeing of a textile thread on request and can be paired with any existing embroidery machine without modification. This means that unique effects such as shades and gradient can be achieved in an embroidery for the first time.

“Our technology is now commercialized and we are scaling up our business globally,” said Nordin. – The basis for the company was based on the idea that there were millions of varieties of thread spools out there, many of which would become obsolete and turn into waste and that it would be easier to dye the thread when you use it. That is what we have achieved. ”

Based on a CMYK ink system, Coloreel’s advanced software for fast dyeing and high-speed drive technology allows a single needle to perform what previously required several of them to do – and with much more consistent stitch quality.

In addition, existing thread dyeing plants can add a single monochrome dye to a thread, but by immediately dyeing a white base thread during production, Coloreel gives full freedom to create unique embroideries without any restrictions on the use of color. Color changes along the thread can either be made quickly from one solid color to another, or gradually, to make smooth transitions or desired color effect.

This provides great benefits when it comes to sustainability. There is a significant reduction in waste of ink, while minimizing water use and increasing production speeds. The technology makes it possible to reduce set-up and lead times as well as significant flexibility in production quantities, while eliminating the need for large wire layers.

“It is fantastic to see TMAS members play a pioneering role in what is now becoming an important concern of the textile supply chain here in Scandinavia,” adds TMAS Secretary General Therese Premler-Andersson. “All these ideas are now gaining momentum and are likely to be adopted worldwide. A more circular and sustainable industry will be the result, for the benefit of all.”

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (JL)