BASF aims to fuel textile growth
20/10/2008
Chemical company BASF is aiming to boost growth in the global textile market through an innovation from its fibre division.
Garments made of MOOO> (pronounced ‘move’) polypropylene can now be dyed efficiently in the latest colours, thanks to the new technology. BASF says the development will help cloth designers and textile manufacturers create innovations that spark international trends.
Speaking at the start of the Intertextile Shanghai event on October 20, Dr Gerald Lauterbach, director of new business development of BASF’s performance chemicals division, said: “China and other countries in Asia are now the global sourcing hub for textiles, and this means that designers and textile manufacturers are facing increasing demands for style, sophistication and above all, performance. They are delivering everything from the simplest everyday garments to the most glamorous fashions, and they have an ambition to create more value-added products through innovation and stronger branding. The challenge now is to go beyond the basics and respond quickly to market needs.”
The MOOO> fibre incorporates innovative BASF technology that allows fabric from colourless fibres to be dyed, which previously was not possible for polypropylene. Polypropylene fabrics can now be dyed with disperse dyes in aqueous media in a standard industry process. The invention also provides brilliant colour shades to meet fast-moving market trends.
The fibre is lightweight, as light as 0.9g per cubic-centimetre. BASF argues that it offers immense production possibilities because manufacturers can reduce the inventory of coloured yarns and streamline their production process. Dr Lauterbach continued: “We are offering new products and technologies that offer more than just style and fashion, but with intelligent solutions that can increase their operational effectiveness and reduce inventory and streamline production processes.”
BASF also announced at Intertextile a partnership with spinning company Tri Ocean Textile. It believes Tri’s extensive customer network in Europe and the United States can help in promote the MOOO> fibre to the textile and apparel market.
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