A Significant Step Taken in the Textile Industry

Significant Step Forward in the Textile Industry Archroma and Somelos will advance sustainability in the textile industry with a new dyeing and finishing process that delivers water savings of up to 97%. Archroma, a leading firm in specialty chemicals for sustainable solutions, and Somelos, a major vertically integrated textile group based in Portugal, have joined forces to advance sustainable cotton processing with a new dyeing and finishing process that delivers water savings and produces no wastewater. Traditional cotton dyeing and finishing processes require significant amounts of water and chemical inputs and generate large quantities of wastewater. Long-duration wash effects in particular traditionally require two intensive water processes: one to achieve color intensity and another to achieve washed contrast. In countries affected by drought and water scarcity, such as Portugal, where Somelos has been based since its establishment in 1958, reliance on such resource-intensive processes is particularly concerning. To overcome this challenge, Archroma and Somelos have developed the New Dry Dyeing/Ox Finishing process for the production of bottoms and shirting in cotton fabrics. Based on Archroma's Pad-Ox dyeing process, which combines oxidation and fixation in a single step, and the latest technologies for wash effects including ozone and laser treatments, this process delivers water savings of up to 97% compared to traditional cotton dyeing and finishing. The New Dry Dyeing/Ox Finishing process uses water only for preparing the dye and oxidation baths. Archroma Diresul® RDT liquid pre-reduced sulfur dyes enable easy washing and direct fixation without the need for pre-washing, offering shorter processing times, cleaner production and high wash fastness. Umberto De Vita, Director of the Denim Market Segment, Archroma Textile Effects Division, said: "Archroma and Somelos believe that sustainability adds value to textile and apparel brands, helping them save resources as they enter new markets. Together, we have developed a water-saving dyeing and finishing process that not only represents a significant advance in sustainability for the textile industry, but also empowers brands to protect the environment and offer environmentally friendly products to an environmentally conscious consumer base." Sofia Vale, Head of Research and Development at Somelos, stated: "As Somelos, we know that cleaner textiles create a better world. We have made significant investments over the years to achieve environmentally friendly production and a zero carbon footprint, built our own solar energy park for clean energy and purified and reused our wastewater. We are pleased to work with Archroma as we take another step forward on our sustainability journey and prioritize water savings with our new and innovative cotton dyeing and finishing process."   Source