Page 42 - TEXtalks International July/August 2022

42 An interview with Lutfu Okman, Vice President of Global 43
Revenue, Huntsman Textile Effects TEXtalks: How much Huntsman

is investing in R&D and what
industry with products that reduce water and energy steps are taken to improve the
consumption by 50% while reducing carbon footprint environmental friendliness?
by more than half. To know more about its solutions Lutfu Okman: Innovation is a key
and how they benefit the textile wet processing differentiator at Huntsman Textile
sector, especially in Pakistan, TEXtalks International Effects. We hold around 750
interviewed Lutfu Okman, Vice President of Global patents and have launched more

Revenue, Huntsman Textile Effects. than 150 new products in the
past five years. We focus our
TEXtalks: Tell us about your role in the company and efforts on two fronts:
what are your key responsibilities? technologies that help mills save
Lutfu Okman: I am the Vice President of Global water and energy and promote
Revenue and I oversee both the Commercial and sustainability and waste
Marketing functions of Huntsman Textile Effects. My management; and technologies
role is to help our teams around the world connect that help them adhere to current
with stakeholders, recognize and keep ahead of standards and relevant
trends, and delight our customers with tailored Restricted Substances Lists and
solutions and support stay ahead of future rule
changes and trends.
TEXtalks: Where do you see Huntsman Textile
Effects in the next couple of years? For example, mills in Pakistan
Lutfu Okman: Huntsman Textile Effects has been will be aware of legislation in the
bringing sustainability and innovative solutions to the EU, US, and China targeting the
textile industry for the last few decades. We are proud technologies, products, and sustainability solutions as patrons return to hotels, spas and gyms around use of perfluorinated chemicals
to be an agent of change in our industry working and on helping mills and brands deploy them to meet the world. We are seeing strong demand for premium (PFCs), which are commonly
closely with textile mills, and the brands that are their their business objectives. towels as well as for bed sheeting—and this is used in durable water repellents
Lutfu Okman, Vice President of Global Revenue another area where Pakistan can leverage its long
Huntsman Textile Effects customers, to serve different end-use markets and that protect garments against
find solutions to tough challenges. TEXtalks: Which are the major and potential markets experience in home textiles to create more value. We rain, snow, and everyday stains
for Huntsman Textile Effects geographically? work with manufacturers to help them use new
Huntsman Textile Effects is a global leader in driving Lutfu Okman: Despite the impact of the pandemic on technologies like odor-control solutions for towels like ketchup and mud. As the
sustainable textile manufacturing with its advanced Right now, mills and brands are looking for ways to the wider textile sector, we are continuing to see and sheets that smell fresh for longer; softening chemistry has shifted over the
reduce their environmental impact, improve their
technological solutions. Huntsman’s textile solutions bottom line, and capture market share. These strong and growing demand for our environmentally agents for towels that are soft and absorbent, with years from long-chain C8 PFCs
provide sustainable coloration and enhance the imperatives are only going to ramp up in the next sustainable textile dyes and chemicals. This demand natural bounce and bulk; and fluorescent whitening to short-chain C6 PFCs, and
aesthetic, durability, and performance of finished couple of years as markets become more is global, dominated by China and the South Asia technologies for very high and brilliant whites. most recently to fluorine-free
textiles with innovative chemistry. competitive, more regulated, and more demanding. region, with Pakistan as a real bright spot. We are Choosing the right dye to achieve intense “C0” technologies, Huntsman
For Huntsman Textile Effects, this means we need to excited to see Pakistan becoming more long-lasting color, even when towels and sheets are has steered the industry with
Huntsman Textile Effects is revolutionizing the textile maintain our focus on creating innovative internationally competitive and opening up new bleached for hygiene purposes, is also important. products like Zelan™ R3 and our
markets for exports. We believe there is great PHOBOTEX® range.

potential for further growth as mills in Pakistan Casual Wear is also another growing segment We believe strongly in optimizing
differentiate themselves through a strong worldwide as people prioritize looking smart, yet the entire ecosystem to create
Huntsman is leading high-value products. being comfortable in the ‘new normal’. This is shared value. This is about
sustainability proposition and by developing new
creating opportunities for brands that can meet

textiles that are not just free from
customer need for eco-friendly garments that are as

harmful chemicals and produced

TEXtalks: As the world is slowly moving back to
innovation and sustainability pre-pandemic environments, which markets do you and long lasting and easy-care as they are elegant in ways that are better for the
and comfortable. Pakistan already has a good

planet, but that also resist
think would benefit and how can Huntsman help

reputation among the major casual wear brands, and

fading, staining, and odors, so
brands and especially mills in Pakistan deliver on
this stands local mills in good stead. To capture new

they need less frequent washing
these demands?
for the textile industry Lutfu Okman: Dyes and chemicals make it possible business, they will need to be able to deliver on-trend and look good for longer.

100% cotton and blended polyester-cotton fabrics
for brands and mills to differentiate and capture

An exciting new product that we
growth opportunities arising from key global trends
with sought-after effects like wrinkle-resistance, rain-

like heightened awareness of environmental

sustainability and changing consumer preferences. and stain-protection, UV-protection and quick-drying. are bringing to customers in
partnership with Sciessent is
The right partner can help mills do all of this in a way
The Home and Hospitality sector is trending upwards that is both cost-competitive and sustainable. NOBO™—a new odor-control
July/August 2022 July/August 2022