A Sustainable process by bio- scouring for cotton knitted fabric suitable for next generation

Abstract

Textile processing is a growing industry that traditionally has used a lot of water, energy and harsh chemicals. Bio-preparation is a developing and promising technique for lowering the consumption of chemicals specially in wet finishing where plenty of these compounds are used. The conventional scouring process involving the harsh environment is slowly being replaced with environment-friendly approach using enzymes. Enzymes are specific and fast in action and small amounts of enzyme often save large amounts of raw materials, chemicals, energy and water. In this study, samples of Cotton fabrics bio-scoured by Scourzyme L. and they were scoured conventionally. Then, they were dyed with reactive dyes in conventional methods. Samples were analyzed by reflective spectrophotometer, mechanical tester, and then compared. Such a process enhanced the absorbency of the fabric without appreciable strength loss and also helped in the proper dyeing and finishing of the fabric. The described enzymatic procedure is accompanied by a significant lower demand of energy, water, chemicals, time and therefore costs. It was found that the water absorbing character of the Bio scoured fabric was found to be considerably higher than that of the conventionally scoured fabric. Also, the tensile strength of the cotton fabric was found to be higher for the sample treated using Scourzyme L enzyme than the sample treated conventionally. So it has advantages as well in terms of ecology as in economy.