Cellulose fibres Rainbow

Initial situation

Globally, a combination of polyester and viscose is by far the most frequently used fiber blend. Annually, the industry produces more than 500,000 tons of viscose/polyester fibers. "Rainbow" is a fiber material with physical and chemical properties that are comparable to those of conventional viscose fibers; the only difference lies in the dyeing properties. Conventional dyeing technologies use a two-bath process, which is relatively cost and resource intensive.

Challenge

The "Rainbow" fiber can be dyed in a single-bath process under the same conditions used for polyester, which results in considerable savings of dyeing matter and reactants as well as a considerably shorter dyeing process; this makes the natural fiber an economically attractive alternative to man-made materials. While single-bath dyeing processes are shorter and considerably more resource efficient, they require special finishing processes in order to ensure sufficient moisture fastness. The ultimate implementation of this research project will result in a new generation of fibers, which require 40 to 100% less energy, water, and chemicals input in upgrading processes.

Results

Earlier phases of the project served to investigate basic issues concerning the applicability of these fibers and yielded fundamental findings about this novel and functional cellulose fiber "Rainbow". The properties of the new fiber permit single-bath dyeing and the use of direct-dyeing matter and of salt-free dyeing substances; this is a substantial contribution to the conservation of the environment and resources and affords considerable savings and an increase of productivity.

Photos: Photos: Petra Blauensteiner, ÖGUT