Cleaner production technologies in desizing of cotton fabric

Abstract

Desizing is one of the key processes for the pretreatment of cotton fabric wet processing. Prior to dyeing and printing, it is essential to remove the sizes coated on fabric. Cleaner production technologies, using which hazardous material is substituted with -amylase, an eco-friendly material, are applied for desizing of cotton fabric. The enzymatic desizing process is human-, machine-, and environmentally-friendly. Four different types of machines were used to investigate the aspects and results of enzymatic desizing. Unlike acid and oxidative desizing, biodegradation of sizes does not damage fabric and emit greenhouse gases (CO2), respectively. The highest quality of desizing was observed by using winch technology. The degree of desizing on TEGEWA scale was 8. The amount of desizing agent used was 0.5–4.0 kg/1000 liters. In winch (batch) desizing, the degree of whiteness was 76%, which is 1.5 times higher than grey fabric, but pad steam (continuous) desizing process showed 69% degree of whiteness, which is 1.35 times higher than grey fabric. The competitive results were achieved in continuous process with efficient time. This article reveals the benefits, processes and results of eco-friendly technology within the framework of textile wet process industry.