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SPGPrints’ new

Experience Center

Global digital textile industry innovation hub The PIKE® digital printer at SPGPrints’ new Experience Center, Boxmeer, The Netherlands

“The opening of the Experience Center marks our commitment to driving the adoption of dyes, salts, acids and alkalis, auxiliary chemicals, What are the new requests for the future green
the digital workflow. Not only will this provide the opportunity for brand-owners and and other solvents. Their discharge into neighbor- textile companies like Laros - Certifications for
printers to gain a first-hand, real-time insight into this technology’s tremendous potential; ing water bodies is posing a serious threat to the textile companies are important for the near future
it will provide a dedicated space for further innovation in quality, productivity and flora and fauna. of “sustainable industry” at low environmental
sustainability, complementing our resources for the continued development of traditional impact. The aim of the standards (like GOTS) is to
rotary screen technologies." Is the demand for sustainable textile additives high define world-wide recognized requirements that
Dick Joustra in the market - The demand from product compa- ensure organic status of textiles, from harvesting of
CEO, SPGPrints nies on sustainable and non¬toxic chemistry is the raw materials, through environmentally and
very strong. Many of the major players in the socially responsible manufacturing up to labelling
apparel industry have gone public with their in order to provide a credible assurance to the end
intention to phase out conventional chemicals. consumer. Therefore, textile manufacturers are
Textile manufacturers supplying the apparel enabled to export their organic fabrics and
industry need to cope with these restrictions and garments with one certification accepted in all
are therefore investing heavily into the implementa- major markets. Another example is the Detox
tion of eco-friendly products. Encourage initiatives, campaign, that since July 2011 has mobilised
project innovation and provide incentives could be hundreds of thousands of people around the world
the policy key points for the development and to challenge major clothing brands to eliminate all
take-up of environmentally friendlier textiles. releases of hazardous chemicals from their supply
chains and products. In the last years, Laros is
How is Laros changing to reach these changes - extremely active to meet these market requests
Textile processing is the major source of industrial from its international fashion companies.
water pollution across the world, and sizing and
The mayor of Boxmeer, Karel van Soest (left) and SPGPrints CEO Dick Joustra (right) desizing operations account for nearly 30% of the What could be the role of research organisations to
o cially declare the Experience Center open for business water consumed in a textile plant. Polyvinyl alcohol increase the companies competitiveness -
(PVA) is the non-degradable synthetic polymer that Universities/research organisations and industry

What is sustainability and why could be an oppor- most expected regard the ability to cut energy dominates sizing chemical market with 2.5% global have been collaborating for over a century, but the
tunity to textile industry - In essence sustainable costs for the production processes. A great deal of share, and leads to severe pollution. To mitigate rise of a global knowledge economy has intensified
development is about five key principles: quality of importance is related to the versatility of machinery environmental problems caused by the need for strategic partnerships that go beyond
life; fairness and equity; participation and partner- with a significant implications both on energy non-biodegradable synthetic polymers, using the traditional funding of research projects. When
ship; care for our environment and respect for consumption and the management of work natural macromolecules as replacements is a companies and universities work in tandem to
ecological constraints recognising that there are processes. One of the priorities is also the reduc- feasible approach. Laros has established a strong push the frontiers of knowledge, they become a
'environmental limits'; and thought for the future tion of chemical products for processes reducing cooperation between research institutions (i.e. powerful engine for innovation and economic
and the precautionary principle. In order to create the environmental impacts of many textile manu- ENEA) and universities (i.e. Polytechnic University growth. The assiduous participation in R&D and
a sustainable textile & apparel industry, a number factures. Textiles production processes such as of Milan) to develop new biodegradable products technology transfer projects at national and
of challenges need to be addressed in different sizing, scouring, bleaching, mercerizing, dyeing, with similar properties like PVA. The strong European level have allowed at many organizations
areas of the textile supply chain. printing, and finishing are characterized by a huge cooperation between company technical skills and to consolidate a vast network of links and
consumption of water, energy, and chemicals. The several research teams in the world is the key collaborations, with important industrial companies,
What do textile business expect of tomorrow’s toxic effluent discharge generated in these aspect of Laros’s green horizon. universities, research centres and companies service
technologies - The performance enhancements processes mainly contains by-products, residual operating in Italy, Europe and wordwide.

October/November 2017 October/November 2017