Page 151 - TEXtalks. May-June 2023
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 Kevlar EXO: Unique dyes obtained   Unique dyes obtained from


 from recycled fabrics and scraps
                    recycled fabrics and scraps





             Officina39, based in Biella, Italy, introduced its   process can create enough dye for 20,000 t-shirts.
             expanded range of Recycrom dyestuffs. These dyes
             are unique in being obtained by extracting pigment   The company wanted to broaden its services to meet
 DuPont is claiming that its new Kevlar EXO is “the most significant aramid fiber innovation in over 50 years” and   powders from recycled used clothing, fibrous   the demands of all of its customers and start with
 an entirely new technology platform developed to serve endless applications where performance and   materials and textile scraps via a proprietary   100% recycled content, which remains the top priority
 protection are required.  mechanical upcycling process.       for some partners. They have now developed a
                                                               simpler, faster, and more scalable solution based on
 Now, with body armor crafted using Kevlar  EXO™, military and law enforcement officers can experience   New to the range are Eco Marble for obtaining   a range of ready-made in-house dyes that allow for
 ®
 previously unavailable levels of ballistic protection without compromising on mobility and comfort. With   frosted colored effects, a Recycrom variant for   cost and time optimization, which they are sure will
 ®
 unmatched pliability, Kevlar  EXO™ contours to curves and body lines, providing a more body-inclusive   printing applications, and Recycrom Gel, for   be greatly appreciated by those who choose this new
 solution while still offering maximum protection.  waterless processing. The range now extends to 15   sustainable option.
             standard ready-in-stock colors, obtained from a
 It offers the highest ballistics performance among all aramid fibers without compromising on weight, enabling   minimum of 65% recycled textile pre and post-consumer   It has also shown denim created with Smart Black, a
 the best-in-class, lightest-weight ballistics soft armor solutions available on the market. Peak flexibility, offering   materials, as dyes for use on cotton, wool, nylon, or   bleaching process that allows light colors to be
 increased comfort and mobility, contouring to curves and body lines with less restriction for maximum defense,   any other cellulosic and natural fiber or blend.  obtained from black textiles without the use of caustic
 when paired with exceptional carrier design and inherently flame- and temperature-resistant; melt- and   soda. This process has an operating temperature of
 ignite-proof up to 500°C (932°F). It delivers the same level of protection after five years as it provides on day one.   Officina39 is enabling brands to make custom dyes   50°C compared to the 70-80°C that standard
             from their own scraps and textile waste with      processing requires and can be applied on
 With endlessly customizable wearability for use case and body type, first-of-its-kind Kevlar  EXO™ aramid fiber   Recycrom Ready to Dye, which enables them to   elastomer-featuring stretch garments. It also prevents
 ®
 is incomparably better and more durable than even the highest-performing soft body armor materials available.   choose and create their own colors from a standard   zip, press stud, and button stains, and because its
 Whether for military members, law enforcement officers, private security or emergency responders, pound for   color card, a palette of darker and brighter shades   application involves only one 30-minute process
 ®
 pound, Kevlar  EXO™ users can better manage energy output even during the most demanding physical tasks.  assuring a true upcycling of textile waste without any   compared to the traditional three-step process,
             chemical synthesis. From 100kg of textile waste the   reduces water by 60%.
 New detergent can reduce



 microfiber shredding by 80%   First biodegradable fusible cotton shirt interlining





 Fibers that are shed from textiles and garments,   extensive efforts to reduce microfiber pollution.   Freudenberg’s new 46xx range helps reduce environmental impact and supports customers in achieving their
 especially microfibers, are ubiquitous in air, soil,   own sustainability objectives. With this innovation, the world’s leading specialist in woven, knitted, weft and
 rivers, lakes, and oceans and are regarded as   Recently, Inditex and BASF developed the first   nonwoven interlinings reduces its impact on the environment and supports customers in achieving their own
 anthropogenic litter that has become a global   detergent to reduce microfiber release from textiles   sustainability objectives. In Asia, the series is marketed under the name 42xx series.
 concern for the sustainability of the textile and fashion   during washing. Inditex brand Zara Home launches
 industry. There is clear evidence that microfibers as   the first laundry detergent to reduce microfiber   Fusible interlinings for shirts and blouses have been developed in such a way that they are harmless to
 emerging contaminants are widely distributed in the   release during washing. Developed jointly by Inditex   people and the environment at the end of their life cycle. Germany’s independent Hohenstein Laboratories
 marine environment globally.   and BASF Home Care and I&I Solutions Europe, in   performed biodegradation tests on the 46xx series, based on the Hohenstein method which draws on DIN EN
 Spain and Germany, the innovative solution may   ISO 11721-2:2003 and EN ISO 846, and approved it as biodegradable and ecotoxicologically harmless.
 Experiments indicated that a single 6 kg domestic   reduce microfiber release by up to 80%. The results
 wash could release as many as 700,000 fibers. Over   show that the detergent is particularly suitable for   The new biodegradable shirt interlinings also show great potential for energy saving, as the fusing can be
 nine trillion fibers could be released per week in the   washing at low temperatures, which brings additional   performed at a low temperature. Concretely, this means that the resulting temperature between the upper
 UK, according to the figures cited in a Spin report   advantages: end users can lower their energy   fabric and the shirt interlining during fusing is only 127°C which is significantly lower than the commonly used
 provided by the National Federation of Women’s   consumption and thereby reduce their   temperature of 143°C.
 Institutes (NFWI). Thus, researchers are making   carbon footprint.

 May/June 2023                                                                           May/June 2023
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