Textile Dyeing via Atmospheric Plasma Coating

Reducing the environmental impact of textile dyeing

Challenge

Textile dyeing is recognised as one of the most environmentally unfriendly industrial manufacturing processes. Thus, industry aims to find alternative, eco-friendly techniques that reduce water consumption and the environmental impact of dye-house effluents.

Proposed Solution

Australian textile technology expert, Xefco has partnered with Deakin’s Institute for Frontier Materials to develop new atmospheric plasma techniques to improve conventional textile dyeing processes, both in terms of energy efficiencies and eco-friendliness.

Over the next 12 months, researchers will evaluate atmospheric plasma pre-treatment processes as an alternative to conventional dyeing processes, to improve dye absorption and diffusion in textiles, and immobilise dyes aimed to enhance colour fastness. This would open the potential to offer an environmenally-friendly, single system that replaces all wet finishing processes.

This project would also unlock small scale production capability of value-added textiles, and increase the potential for on-shore textile production and on-demaned functionalisation.