A new process for digital printing on textiles can now be an important part of the solution for the textile industry to deal with the enormous consumption of water and emissions of hazardous substances, for which the industry is responsible.
- Researchers have optimised the printing technology and process so that it is now ready to be used on an industrial scale by developing a new adapted formula of paint and ink that works in the print heads and protocols used in industry.
The Project: Under the project titled 'SusdigiTex – Development of a digital printing process with sustainable inks for functional clothing', the Textile Materials Technology research group at the Swedish School of Textiles, University of Borås, has developed and tested a pigment ink and optimised it for single-colour prints and patterns.
- They mixed and tested water-repellent inks by using components that are free of environmentally hazardous fluorocarbons, which are used as impregnating agents, but which must be phased out.
The Development: With this technology, it is possible to get the material exactly where one wants it, which makes it possible to save raw materials and reduce the handling of chemicals that remain after production.
- The project sets the bar for the implementation of sustainable digital printing techniques in textile dyeing, finishing and functionalisation.
The Research: The project has been financed by Vinnova and was carried out together with the Swedish company FOV Fabrics AB, the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences in Germany, and Prometho GmbH in Germany, which specialises in printing ink and coating.
- The Textile Materials Technology research group at the Swedish School of Textiles, consisting of Professor Vincent Nierstrasz, Junchun Yu, Senior Lecturer, Sina Seipel, Senior Lecturer, Mohammad Neaz Morshed, Researcher, and Sweta Iyer, Researcher, is now dedicated to further research and innovation in digital printing technology.
What They Said:
Digital paint and printing technology is the key to global sustainability and to the survival of the textile processing industry. Although digital printing technology is on the way to industrial implementation, the potential of these technologies needs to be investigated even more.
— Junchun Yu
Senior Lecturer
Swedish School of Textiles, University of Borås
