DuPont Industrial Biosciences presented results of collaborative trials with Pacific Textiles Limited Ltd, a Hong Kong-based manufacturer of custom fabrics, which demonstrate the significant sustainability benefits of bio-based enzymes used to replace traditional chemicals in cotton textile processing at bulk-scale production. DuPont's enzymes are derived from natural resources and are biodegradable.
Speaking about DuPont's strategy to address global energy needs and biobased solutions at the Sustainable Textiles Conference, DuPont Industrial Biosciences Vice President John P. Ranieri reported that the trials with Pacific Textiles found DuPont PrimaGreen enzymes used in combination can eliminate the need for caustic chemicals, while also dramatically reducing water, energy use and processing time. Ranieri said the trial with Pacific Textile confirmed the results from an earlier lab study DuPont conducted with Cotton Incorporated that was released in May 2012.
"The results of these ongoing trials at Pacific Textiles show we have taken our more eco-friendly enzymatic processes from the lab to full factory scale," said Mark Oostendorp, global business leader Textile Processing. "DuPont's enzymes provide the textile industry a more eco-friendly, high-quality and cost-effective alternative to chemicals commonly used in the pretreatment and finishing process of cotton textile manufacturing."
PrimaGreen, as a replacement to traditional chemicals in cotton textile preparation, led to an average reduction of 70 percent water (by liter); 33 percent steam (in pounds); and 27 percent in energy (as kWH) across dark, medium and light shade ranges. By bio-optimizing these processes, total production time was reduced by an average of 27 percent. In the Cotton Incorporated trial, the cotton knits produced showed good whiteness values, mote removal, maintenance of fabric strength and weight, and were receptive to dark, medium and light dye shades.
"The main advantages of using the DuPont PrimaGreen process are savings in processing time and water," said Ronald K.K. Chan, assistant supervisor at Pacific Textiles, who facilitated the trails. "The enzymes also will ensure we produce high-quality fabrics that have been created in a more sustainable and cost-effective process, which aligns with our company goal to save more energy and reduce emissions as demanded by our customers."
The DuPont PrimaGreen enzymes help save energy by allowing textile preparation to occur at much lower temperatures. In addition, DuPont's bio-enzymes also save water volume by enabling the same water bath to be used for multiple steps in the production process.
