Textile Industry Research Articles

Mapping the Environmental Impact Assessment Landscape in the Fashion and Textile Industries: Critical Gaps and Challenges

The environmental impact of the fashion and textile industry (FTI) is measured and communicated through several interrelated methods, tools and platforms. In this paper, scholarly and grey literature have informed the mapping of the sector’s environmental impact assessment (EIA) landscape to identify key gaps and challenges in effectively quantifying and communicating environmental product performance. These preliminary insights informed the design of multiple focus group discussions where the on-the-ground challenges of EIA implementation were discussed with 85 FTI stakeholders, including industry professionals, academics, non-governmental organisations and local government. Key findings highlight the need for further refinement and harmonisation of assessment methodologies and approaches such as Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) to consider a wider range of impact categories to increase the comparability of results. Similarly, the communication asymmetries linked to a profusion of eco-labelling and ranking systems necessitates the development of better tools to communicate the environmental performance for the sector. Furthermore, as all EIA methods require the movement of data between various actors, there is a need for improvement and innovation in data-gathering and management systems to ensure greater quality and reliability.

Waste-based composites using post-industrial textile waste and packaging waste from the textile manufacturing industry for non-structural applications

The textile industry significantly contributes to environmental pollution, generating substantial amounts of waste. The prevailing linear model exacerbates this issue, accumulating a significant portion of the waste in landfills. This research aimed to tackle these challenges by developing value-added composites from post-industrial textile waste and packaging materials, for non-structural building applications. To achieve this, shredded polyester textile waste fibers served as the reinforcement, while waste packaging was used as the matrix. Varying fiber-matrix weight percentages seven composite types were developed. The physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of the composites were evaluated. The findings indicated that these composites exhibited properties comparable to those of commercial partition boards. Notably, composites with fiber weight percentages of 7.5 % and 10 % demonstrated the most favorable performance among the tested variations. Emphasizing the application of sustainable chemistry, this study highlights the potential of these composites to develop substitute materials for non-structural building applications. Moreover, it presents a promising solution to address the textile waste management challenge and value-added materials for the construction industry in a developing context.

Anti-Phytomonas activity of the lyophilized residues obtained from the distillation of Lantana camara L. essential oil.

On an industrial scale, the residues accumulated in essential oil distilleries can be compared to the volume of residues produced in the textile industry. Although these residues are discarded, they possess molecules with diverse biological activities, including their application in phytopathogen control. In this study, the chemical profile of the residue from the hydrodistillation of Lantana camara L. leaves was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Additionally, the effect of the residue on cells was assessed by determining plasma membrane integrity, levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and mitochondrial potential depolarization. The viability and cell density of Phytomonas serpens parasites significantly decreased after treatment with increasing concentrations of the lyophilized residue from accession LAC-038 (RL038). RL038 reduced cell viability by an average of 61.36%. ROS levels increased by approximately 2 × and 3 × at RL038 concentrations of 120 µg/mL and 180 µg/mL, respectively. It was observed that the same concentrations modified mitochondrial potential, reducing fluorescence by 44.6% and 46.8%, respectively. Analytical liquid chromatography of RL038 revealed the presence of 17 peaks subsequently classified as phenolic acids and flavonoids. RL038 from the hydrodistillation of Lantana camara L. leaves is a source of biologically active compounds with antiprotozoal potential.

INVESTIGATION OF SELF-CLEANING PROPERTIES OF COTTON FABRICS BY IN SITU SYNTHESIS NANO-TIO2 USING DIFFERENT PRECURSORS

Surface modification is a special feature in the textile industry. The end use performance of a textile product is greatly influenced by its final properties. A new concept has been developed based on the ‘lotus leaf’ principle, namely, ‘self-cleaning textiles’, i.e. textile surfaces that can clean themselves, without any washing process. The use of superfine materials made by means of nanotechnologies has received attention in the process of finishing textiles in recent years. Nanomaterials or nanoscale nanomaterials are used to endow textiles with various properties, such as radiation resistance, antimicrobial properties, self-cleaning, amortization, and others. In this study, titanium dioxide nanoparticles were simultaneously sono-synthesized and coated onto cotton fabric. For the synthesis of titanium dioxide nanoparticles, two different precursors, namely, titanium isopoxide (TTIP) and titanium butoxide (TTIB) have been used. Several analytical methods, including field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), dynamic light scattering (DLS), ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, were used to confirm the presence of TiO2 nanoparticles and investigate the self-cleaning property of treated fabrics.

UNMASKING THE POWER OF METAL OXIDE NANOPARTICLES FOR SELF-CLEANING HEAVY DENIM: INVESTIGATING AND OPTIMIZING PROCESS PARAMETERS

The textile industry is consistently integrating cutting-edge technologies, introducing materials with multifaceted features, such as odour resistance, hydrophobicity, durability, and self-cleaning capabilities. This transformation is facilitated by the application of nanotechnology. The focal point of this experimental endeavour lies in closing the gap in employing ZnO nanoparticles on high GSM denim fabric, enhancing self-cleaning, UV protection, and antimicrobial capabilities. Initially, a solution containing nanoparticles, binder, softener, ethanol, and their auxiliaries was formulated. Zinc oxide nanoparticles, along with their auxiliaries, were applied to the denim using the pad-dry-cure and pad-dry-steam methods. Various trials were conducted to optimize the concentration of ZnO NPs, with the formulation containing 5% ZnO NPs, 5% binder, and 25% ethanol. Experimentation ensued to establish optimal time–temperature profiles for drying, curing, and steaming. Comprehensive evaluations, including drop tests, stain tests, colour strength assessments, crocking tests, SEM analysis, antimicrobial testing and UV protection factor determination were conducted on the samples. The study revealed that fixation of the self-cleaning finish by curing gives better results than by steaming. SEM examination highlighted the distribution of ZnO nanoparticles on the denim fabric. Lastly, antimicrobial properties were assessed, concluding that treated fabrics exhibited antibacterial activity compared to untreated fabrics.

MULTIFUNCTIONAL MODIFICATION OF COTTON FABRIC FOR ANTIMICROBIAL, FLAME-RETARDANT AND OLEOPHOBIC PROPERTIES

In recent times, the investigation and development of multifunctional textiles have become a necessity for the textile and apparel industries. Therefore, this paper explores an innovative approach to enhancing the functional properties of cotton (cellulosic) fabric by integrating advanced technologies to impart oleophobic/hydrophobic, flame-retardant, and antibacterial characteristics. The methodology involves systematically applying chemical treatments utilizing a layer-by-layer finishing technique to achieve the desired multifunctionality in cotton fabric. Silver nanoparticles and a phosphorus-nitrogen-based synergistic flame-retarding agent were employed to finish the fabric. Performance testing encompasses evaluating bacterial reduction, contact angle measurements, water absorption properties, flame-retardant capabilities, and Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI). Characterization techniques such as FTIR, SEM, and EDX analysis, were carried out to assess structural and chemical modifications of the material. The results illustrate a notable transformation of the cellulosic fabric, showcasing enhanced resistance to bacterial attack, improved stain resistance, and heightened flame-retardant performance, without compromising its color indices and air permeability. The fabric retains these multifunctional attributes even after 20 cycles of laundering, which confers durability. The implications of this research extend the application of conventional cotton fabric in diverse sectors, including apparel, home furnishings, and industrial textiles.

High-Value Utilization of Cellulose: Intriguing and Important Effects of Hydrogen Bonding Interactions─A Mini-Review.

Cellulose has been widely used in papermaking, textile, and chemical industries due to its diverse sources, environmental friendliness, and renewability. Recently, much more attention has been paid to converting cellulose into high-value-added products. Therefore, the extraction of nanocellulose, the dissolution of cellulose, and their applications are some of the most important research topics currently. However, cellulose's dense hydrogen bond network poses challenges for efficient extraction and dissolution, limiting its potential for functional material development. This review discusses the mechanisms of hydrogen bond disruption and weak interactions during nanocellulose extraction and cellulose dissolution. Key challenges and future research directions are highlighted, emphasizing developing efficient, ecofriendly, and cost-effective methods. Additionally, this review provides theoretical insights for constructing high-performance cellulose-based materials.

RETRACTED: Heredia-R et al. Evaluation of a Microbial Consortium and Selection of a Support in an Anaerobic Reactor Directed to the Bio-Treatment of Wastewater of the Textile Industry. Sustainability 2022, 14, 8889

The journal retracts the article “Evaluation of a Microbial Consortium and Selection of a Support in an Anaerobic Reactor directed to the Bio-treatment of Wastewater of the Textile Industry” [...]

Removal process of an industrial dye using a biosorbent: characterization, kinetic, equilibrium, and thermodynamic studies

Adsorption-based removal is a highly efficient environmental phenomenon employed to eliminate various dyes, such as crystal violet (CV), which is prevalently used in the textile industry and subsequently discharged into natural ecosystems. This study aims to utilize natural bentonite clay sourced from Algeria for the extraction of cationic dye (CV) from wastewater. The characterization of the bentonite was conducted using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). Evaluations assessed the impact of various parameters including pH, stirring time, temperature, and initial dye concentration on the adsorption efficiency. Optimal conditions for the maximal adsorption of CV were determined to be 430.18 mg g-1 at an adsorbent-to-dye solution ratio of 1 g L-1, pH 11.06, an equilibrium time of 40 minutes, and a temperature of 40°C. The adsorption kinetics were best described by the pseudo-second-order model, while the Freundlich isotherm model aptly described the adsorption isotherms. Thermodynamic parameters underscored the spontaneous and exothermic nature of the crystal violet removal process using raw bentonite. This research provides novel insights into the effective removal of a cationic dye from water and wastewater using Algerian bentonite clay.

Sustainable and cost-effective metastable white cast iron powder for the degradation of textile dyes

The textile industry is one of the main consumers of dyes. The treatment of wastewater containing dyes is a major challenge worldwide for a sustainable and environmental friendly goods production. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an effective method for removing the dyes from wastewater. In this study, an economical and efficient white cast iron powder was reported to degrade reactive red 195A azo dye in an aqueous solution. The white cast iron powder was obtained by ball-milling a rapidly solidified cast iron ribbon, exhibiting unique metastable properties and a large surface area. These metastable phases are particularly effective in providing electrons for the dye degradation of NN double bonds, thereby improving the catalytic process, and enhancing the overall bond degradation efficiency. The influence of different parameters such as temperature, dye concentration, and reusability of metallic iron powder on the degradation efficiency was investigated. The experimental analysis revealed rapid and efficient dye degradation that was achieved within 15 min using 0.1 g of white cast iron powder. The study also demonstrated the effectiveness of the degradation rate improved significantly with an increase in temperature. Even after seven recycling experiments, the Fe82C15Si3 powders maintained high degradation efficiency toward the reactive red 195A solutions. This research will contribute to developing a new, highly efficient, and low-cost method for treating organic dye wastewater.

Integrating digitalization, environmental innovations, and green energy supply to ensure green production in China’s textile and fashion industry: environmental policy and laws optimization perspective

Integrating digitalization, environmental innovations, and green energy supply to ensure green production in China’s textile and fashion industry: environmental policy and laws optimization perspective

Sustainable lignosulfonate-modified PA6.6 fabrics to improve durable flame retardancy, hydrophilicity and mechanical performance

Creating durable flame retardancy, enhanced mechanical performance, and hydrophilic polyamide 6.6 (PA6.6) textiles via cost-effectiveness from sustainable renewable sources is a considerable challenge. This study introduces a pretreatment process involving the application of sodium lignosulfonate (LS) to the surface of PA6.6 fabrics, thereby enhancing their hydrophilic and flame-retardant properties. Subsequently, a layer-by-layer (LbL) nanocoating treatment is employed, utilizing renewable polyelectrolytes—chitosan (CS), LS, and poly (sodium phosphate) (PSP)—to create 8-bilayer (BL) and 4-quarda layer (QL) structures that further improve the hydrophilicity and durable flame resistance of PA6.6 fabrics. The combined LS-modified and LbL coatings notably increased the limiting oxygen index (LOI) values from 19.5 % to 22.5 %, eliminated melt dripping, and secured a V-1 rating in the vertical burning (UL-94) tests. Moreover, the treated fabrics exhibited a 43 % reduction in the peak heat release rate (PHRR) and a lower fire growth rate (FGR) of 0.84 W/g·s, with a significant increase in char yield% in both air and nitrogen (N2) atmospheres. A cross-linked network structure is responsible for the superior hydrophilicity, enhanced tensile strength, and fabric softening properties. The self-crosslinking of sulfur-containing radicals with amide units ensures an anti-dripping performance that can withstand up to 30 home laundering cycles, demonstrating remarkable washing durability. However, a convincing approach has been developed for sustainable and high-performance materials for the textile industry, and a simple LbL technique using renewable polyelectrolytes that have traditionally been utilized in water treatment and food processing has been developed.

Digital Solutions for SMEs’ Circularity Transition - Examples from the textile industry

Digital Solutions for SMEs’ Circularity Transition - Examples from the textile industry

Impact of Safeguard Measures Import Duty Tax (BMTP) in Efforts to Increase Protection and Competitiveness of Textile Products

General background: The Safeguard Measures Import Duty Tax (BMTP) policy has been implemented to protect domestic industries from the adverse effects of rising imports. Specific background: In Indonesia, the textile industry has faced significant competition from imported goods, which threatens the competitiveness of local products. Knowledge gap: However, there is limited research on the effectiveness of the BMTP in enhancing protection and competitiveness, particularly in the context of the Juanda Customs and Excise Service Office. Aims: This study aims to evaluate the impact of BMTP on the protection and competitiveness of domestic textile products through qualitative methods, including observation, interviews, and documentation. Results: The findings reveal that the implementation of BMTP is effective in controlling and reducing the volume of imported textiles, thereby contributing to increased protection for domestic producers. Novelty: This research provides new insights into the specific application of BMTP at Juanda and highlights the use of Nvivo12 Plus software for qualitative analysis, offering a novel approach to triangulating data and ensuring validity. Implications: The results imply that BMTP can be a viable policy mechanism to safeguard domestic industries, particularly in sectors vulnerable to import surges, such as textiles, potentially informing future policy decisions to enhance industrial competitiveness. Highlights: BMTP effectively reduces textile imports, enhancing domestic protection. Nvivo12 Plus aids in qualitative data analysis for reliable results. The study offers insights into BMTP's specific application at Juanda Customs. Keywords: Import Duty Safeguard, Protection, Textile

Cellulose Fiber with Enhanced Mechanical Properties: The Role of Co-Solvents in Gel-like NMMO System.

Cellulose has garnered attention in the textile industry, but it exhibits limitations in applications that require high strength and modulus. In this study, regenerated cellulose fiber with enhanced mechanical properties was fabricated from a gel-like N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMMO)-cellulose solution by modulating the intermolecular interaction and conformation of the cellulose chains. To control the interaction, two types of co-solvents (dimethyl acetamide (DMAc) and dimethyl formamide (DMF)) were added to the cellulose solutions at varying concentrations (10, 20, and 30 wt%). Rheological analysis showed that the co-solvents reduced the solution viscosity by weakening intermolecular interactions. The calculated distance parameter (Ra) in Hansen space confirmed that the co-solvent disrupted intermolecular hydrogen bonding within cellulose chains. The solutions were spun into fiber via a simple wet spinning process and were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and universal testing machine (UTM). The addition of co-solvent led to an increased crystallinity index (C.I.) owing to the extended cellulose chains. The modulus of the resulting fiber was increased when the co-solvent concentration was 10 wt%, regardless of the co-solvent type. This study demonstrates the potential for enhancing the mechanical properties of cellulose-based products by modulating the conformation and interaction of cellulose chains through the addition of co-solvent.

Extraction of Natural Dye using Peels of Citrus Fruits for Enhancing Color Fastness of Fabrics

The current study investigates the extraction of dyestuff using citrus fruits and assesses its color, light, rubbing, and perspiration fastness. For the experimental study, three types of citrus fruits—orange, lemon, and grapefruit—were chosen to extract dye from their peels. The dye was applied to two types of fabrics (100% cotton and a blended fabric made of polyester-cotton (PC) with a ratio of 50:50) using the conventional aqueous method. The results revealed the remarkable efficacy of orange dye on both fabric types, demonstrating excellent color fastness attributes, with a minor preference for PC fabric in washing fastness. In contrast, lemon dye displayed better washing fastness properties on the tested materials as well as considerable staining potential. Grapefruit dye performed exceptionally well in terms of water and perspiration fastness. Future research could focus on improving dye extraction techniques for citrus fruits to increase color absorption and penetration. Determining various solvents, time duration for dyeing, and temperature settings could enhance the dyeing performance and effectiveness of natural dyes in different industrial applications. Further studies could also conduct life cycle assessments to measure the environmental impact of using citrus peels as a natural dye source compared to synthetic dyes in the textile industry.

Industrial Robots in the Textile and Clothing Industry

Industrial robots play a crucial role in the era of Industry 4.0, characterized by the advancement of digitalization and automation. This development trend is strongly felt in the textile and clothing industry, too, and cannot be ignored when developing production facilities to streamline manufacturing processes. Industrial robots enable more efficient manufacturing processes, especially in repetitive and physically demanding tasks. Their aim is to serve production machines efficiently and autonomously, not to produce the product itself, but to support the production machine. This is particularly important in sectors such as the textile and clothing industry, which typically have a very high demand for labor. The article summarizes the main differences between simple mechanical machines, automated machines, and robots: simple mechanical machines require human intervention and have a fixed function, automated machines operate based on pre-programmed instructions and are moderately flexible, while robots are fully programmable, capable of adapting to changing tasks and operating autonomously, making decisions with the help of sensors. The article – based on real, working examples found on the internet, listed at the end of the article – presents the use of robots in the textile and clothing industry, which facilitate work in warehousing, yarn production, dyeing, fabric inspection, sewing, and textile cleaning. We aimed to engage textile and clothing companies by presenting these opportunities. However, the social impacts of robotization cannot be ignored. If simple manual labor is replaced by robots, people performing such work must be retrained for more productive tasks so that they do not lose their livelihoods. This imposes responsibilities on both the state and companies, which must provide retraining opportunities.

Synthesis of omega-3 mediated copper (ω-3-Cu) and copper oxide (ω-3-CuO) nanocatalyst dual application of dye decolourization and aerobic oxidation of eco-friendly sustainable approach.

In this study, ω-3-Cu and ω-3-CuO nanocatalysts were investigated for industrial environmental issues. Nowadays, green methodology is very important for addressing industrial environmental issues. In this regard, the current study focuses on ω-3-Cu and ω-3-CuO used for aerobic oxidation and dye decolourization via an eco-friendly approach. The synthesised ω-3-Cu and ω-3-CuO nanocatalysts were characterised using FT-IR, UV, XRD, TEM, GC-MS, 1H and 13C NMR. The results showed that the prepared ω-3-Cu catalyst was almost spherical with forms and sizes typically less than 20nm and the ω-3-CuO nanocatalyst 10nm. The ω-3 Cu and ω-3-CuO nanocatalysts were investigated for the conversion of pentan-2-ol into pentan-2-one, which was observed by GC-MS analysis. The ω-3-CuO nanocatalyst decolourised the Brilliant Blue dye more quickly (100% in 30min) than ω-3-Cu (85% in 60min) and ω-3 (no colour in 60min), and Rhodamine B was not decolourised because our ω-3-Cu and ω-3-CuO nanocatalysts inactivated the rhodamine B dye. The aerobic oxidation process using the ω-3-CuO nanocatalyst as the end product of pentan-2-one resulted in a retention time of 30.33. To the best of our knowledge, ω-3-Cu and ω-3-CuO nanocatalysts have not been documented for their application in decolourisation and aerobic oxidation. By highlighting the potential use for the continued advancement and innovation of ω-3-CuO nanocatalysts in the long-term future, cost-effective and eco-friendly methods for producing reusable ω-3-CuO nanocatalysts have the potential to be applied in advanced technical fields, particularly in the areas of dye decolourisation and aerobic oxidation. Finally, we successfully accomplished these processes using the ω-3-CuO nanocatalyst. The ω-3-CuO nanocatalyst evaporated more quickly than the ω-3-Cu and ω-3-CuO nanocatalyst, without any additional energy. ω-3-CuO is the most effective nanocatalyst for dye decolourization and aerobic oxidation (Dual application). ω-3-CuO is used in textile and pharmaceutical industries.

Novel Synthesis of Zinc Oxide on Cotton Fabric by Cathodic Cage Plasma Deposition for Photocatalytic and Antibacterial Performance.

Cotton fabrics with zinc oxide (ZnO) coating are of significant interest due to their excellent antibacterial performance. Thus, they are widely in demand in the textile industry due to their medical and hygienic properties. However, conventional techniques used to deposit ZnO on fabric require long processing times in deposition, complex and expensive equipment, and multiple steps for deposition, such as a separate process for nanoparticle synthesis and subsequent deposition on fabric. In this study, we proposed a new method for the deposition of ZnO on fabric, using cathodic cage plasma deposition (CCPD), which is commonly used for coating deposition on conductor materials and is not widely used for fabric due to the temperature sensitivity of the fabric. The effect of gas composition, including argon and a hydrogen-argon mixture, on the properties of ZnO deposition is investigated. The deposited samples are characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS, photocatalytic, and antibacterial performance against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. It is observed that ZnO-deposited cotton fabric exhibits excellent photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue and antibacterial performance, specifically when a hydrogen-argon mixture is used in CCPD. The results demonstrate that CCPD can be used effectively for ZnO deposition on cotton fabric; this system is already used in industrial-scale applications and is thus expected to be of significant interest to garment manufacturers and hospitals.

Retraction Note: Green supply chain, green leadership, consumer preferences, sustainability attitudes, and sustainable business advantage: a case of Vietnamese textile industry.

Retraction Note: Green supply chain, green leadership, consumer preferences, sustainability attitudes, and sustainable business advantage: a case of Vietnamese textile industry.