Raw materials of fibers
Key aspects of the down-stream conversion processes of fibers to products include mechanical, thermal, and chemical processing. Automation and robotics are gaining impact on textile and clothing production and facilitate textile production closer to customers and become more efficient and sustainable. Raw materials with their mechanical and chemical processing should not appear as a weak link in the chain and must fulfil sustainability requirements.
The increased use of cotton-like MMCF`s reduces the cleaning and fiber dimension controlling stages of the in a spinning factory and no alkaline pretreatments are needed. It is necessary that textile chemicals, such as dyes, finishing agents and auxiliaries are produced as biobased, and used efficiently for minimizing waste-water contamination.
Nonwovens produced by 4 main methods represent sustainable – capital intensive – chain for many technical and medical products with less dyes and finishes. Optimisation of the hybrid needlepunching with hydroentanling-process parameters is developed for many protective apparel applications. Usage of nonwovens in basic clothing is still a challenge.
Spin finishes
About 1 million tons of spin finishes are used in production and processing of man-made fibres (staple/filaments). Man-made fibres and many natural fibers are surface-treated by 0,1-1 % of a spin finish to improve bale opening and eliminate the build-up of static electric charges on fibres during bale opening and further processing. The finish may be conductive for charge dissipation and reducing the cohesion and friction in contact with ceramic or metallic machine parts. Typical emulsions may contain: C16-C18 acid EO`s, cationic derivatives (quats), mineral/vegetable oils and surfactants.