EcoaTEX: Reinventing textile dyeing and finishing for a sustainable future
Description
Traditional textile dyeing and finishing, require an enormous amount of water and produce large volumes of wastewater, and currently, no cost effective process capable of thoroughly eliminating the toxic effects of dyes and chemicals discharged into the environment has been reported. Conventional dyed and finished textiles are also often made with petrochemicals and toxic materials that are unhealthy when worn against the skin. Environmental and health concerns related to the harmful effect of chemicals in textiles, wastewater, and massive consumption of water in the textile industry provide reasons for ongoing interest in the development of cleaner production methods. The initial target of the technology is sustainability-focused textile companies and apparel brands. We can help them reduce their environmental impact and save significant amounts of water and energy. \\\\\\\\r\\\\\\\\n \\\\\\\\r\\\\\\\\nNanocellulose-based dyeing and finishing technology is environmentally friendly and has the proven capability to eliminate the toxic chemicals in the textile dyeing and finishing processes and uses one-tenth of water compared to the traditional methods. With only a fraction of the water and alkali, nanocellulose-based dyeing achieved comparable dyeing and colorfastness performance compared to the conventional dyeing methods. This unique method reduces time- and energy-consuming steps involved with the traditional dyeing and provides an environmentally friendly dyeing process by eliminating any reducing agent and alkali. We also produce nanocellulose hydrogels from two cellulosic waste materials, kraft pulp from woody materials used in paper production and cotton noil from cotton plants that would otherwise be discarded.
We have identified and plan to collaborate with textile and chemical manufacturers and apparel brands. Our potential partner(s) will help us with the large-scale production while we continue working on the research and development as well as testing and the quality control of our products. Our product falls into the dyeing and finishing category within the supply chain. We are looking into bringing our products to market in collaboration with other textile manufacturers and our mill partner(s). The product starts with our patented and proprietary nanocellulose materials, which will be used to dye and coat yarn or fabric to be made into a finished product. The finished textiles are sold to the brand/ manufacturer and then merchandised for retail. Our channel to market will involve identifying and traveling to mill partners and trade shows, as well as market research.
In our technology, modified nanocellulose hydrogels bearing dye molecules or finishing agents are coated and anchored on the surface of textiles. Due to their nano-dimension, the specific surface area of nanocellulose fibers is substantially large, which allows for the larger loading capability, particularly of the dye and functional molecules. A conventional dyeing method utilizes an exhaustion dyebath with a copious amount of dye solution, whereas nanocellulose-based dyeing applies the mixture of the nanocellulose–dye/functional molecules as a viscous slurry on the surface of a textile by printing, which is a commonly practiced method in pigment printing in the textile industries. Traditional dyeing with indigo also requires several dips in reduced vat followed by oxidation to develop darker shades. With our technology, the desired percentage shade can be acquired by adding indigo particles into the nanocellulose gel, making it a one-step process.
SDGS & Targets
Goal 9
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
9.1
9.1.1
Proportion of the rural population who live within 2 km of an all-season road
9.1.2
Passenger and freight volumes, by mode of transport
9.2
Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product, in line with national circumstances, and double its share in least developed countries
9.2.1
Manufacturing value added as a proportion of GDP and per capita
9.2.2
Manufacturing employment as a proportion of total employment
9.3
9.3.1
Proportion of small-scale industries in total industry value added
9.3.2
Proportion of small-scale industries with a loan or line of credit
9.4
By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities
9.4.1
CO2 emission per unit of value added
9.5
9.5.1
Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP
9.5.2
Researchers (in full-time equivalent) per million inhabitants
9.a
9.a.1
Total official international support (official development assistance plus other official flows) to infrastructure
9.b
9.b.1
Proportion of medium and high-tech industry value added in total value added
9.c
Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in least developed countries by 2020
9.c.1
Proportion of population covered by a mobile network, by technology
Goal 6
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
6.1
By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all
6.1.1
Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services
6.2
By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations
6.2.1
Proportion of population using (a) safely managed sanitation services and (b) a hand-washing facility with soap and water
6.3
By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally
6.3.1
Proportion of domestic and industrial wastewater flows safely treated
6.3.2
Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality
6.4
6.4.1
Change in water-use efficiency over time
6.4.2
Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources
6.5
By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate
6.5.1
Degree of integrated water resources management
6.5.2
Proportion of transboundary basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation
6.6
6.6.1
Change in the extent of water-related ecosystems over time
6.a
6.a.1
Amount of water- and sanitation-related official development assistance that is part of a government-coordinated spending plan
6.b
Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management
6.b.1
Proportion of local administrative units with established and operational policies and procedures for participation of local communities in water and sanitation management
Goal 12
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
12.1
Implement the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns, all countries taking action, with developed countries taking the lead, taking into account the development and capabilities of developing countries
12.1.1
Number of countries developing, adopting or implementing policy instruments aimed at supporting the shift to sustainable consumption and production
12.2
By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources
12.2.1
Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP
12.2.2
Domestic material consumption, domestic material consumption per capita, and domestic material consumption per GDP
12.3
By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses
12.3.1
(a) Food loss index and (b) food waste index
12.4
By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment
12.4.1
12.4.2
(a) Hazardous waste generated per capita; and (b) proportion of hazardous waste treated, by type of treatment
12.5
By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse
12.5.1
National recycling rate, tons of material recycled
12.6
Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle
12.6.1
12.7
Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities
12.7.1
Number of countries implementing sustainable public procurement policies and action plans
12.8
By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature
12.8.1
Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment
12.a
Support developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production
12.a.1
Installed renewable energy-generating capacity in developing and developed countries (in watts per capita)
12.b
Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products
12.b.1
Implementation of standard accounting tools to monitor the economic and environmental aspects of tourism sustainability
12.c
Rationalize inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption by removing market distortions, in accordance with national circumstances, including by restructuring taxation and phasing out those harmful subsidies, where they exist, to reflect their environmental impacts, taking fully into account the specific needs and conditions of developing countries and minimizing the possible adverse impacts on their development in a manner that protects the poor and the affected communities
12.c.1
Amount of fossil-fuel subsidies (production and consumption) per unit of GDP
SDG 14 targets covered
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Raha Saremi, Founder