Archroma finds new use for old textiles
26/01/2023
FiberColors dyes are extracted from used cotton and/or nylon fabrics and make up more than 50% of the composition of FiberColor dyes. The patent-pending technology, developed by Archroma’s R&D team, is being offered in a palette of five shades: brown, olive, maroon, slate grey and dark grey.
FiberColor dyes can be used to dye cellulose-based fibres, such as cotton, linen and hemp along with manmade cellulosic fibres, from viscose to lyocell. “They can be applied using most well-established dyeing processes, such as continuous piece dyeing, jet/overflow exhaust coloration, garment dyeing, as well as processes typically used in denim coloration (slasher, rope…). The FiberColors can also be used in printing applications,” Nuria Estape, head of marketing for textile specialties at Archroma, told sportstextiles. She added that they have similar dyeing and fastness performance to conventional sulfur dyes.
Archroma is looking to partner with brands that seek to close the loop, and have access to sorted and shredded pre- and post-consumer waste. Ms Estape said that FiberColor dyes can be made from textile waste that cannot be recycled into fibres, and that the company can upcycle the residual waste, such as dust and fibres that are unsuited for fibre-to-fibre recycling, of sorters and shredders.
Imagery courtesy of Archroma
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