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| Issue date:01/04/2008 |
| ATA Journal for Asia on Textile & Apparel - Apr 2008 Issue |
| Source:Journal for Asia on Textile & Apparel |
| by Michelle Phong |
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| Headquartered in the United States, Dow Corning has in recent years introduced several newly developed products and technologies to the Asian markets underpinned by the mounting concept of eco-friendliness, Anthony Feng, Global Industry Director of Dow Corning Corporation told ATA Journal the ideas behind the new products. |
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Using less water to process denim
Dow Corning GP 8000 Eco Softener is one of the primary items marketed by the company. It is a new finish that processes denim and denim garment in fewer steps than previously needed, reducing water consumption by 30% to 50%, leading to energy- and time-savings. Plus, it gives a trendy and rugged hand feel with low yellowing.
"Being one of the largest energy consumers in the world, China is more aware of the eco-impact of its high-growth industries across the country so that people can continue to drink safe water and breathe clean air, while the country conserves energy. This is a really good effort around sustainability. And, China became the first country to be introduced (late last year) with this new technology for reduced water and energy consumption in one of the most consuming sectors (including denim processing)," said Mr Feng.
Anthony Feng |
China, producing about 30% of the world's denim in volume, could save up to 7.5 billion liters of process water annually using this technology, he added: "Newly launched in China, it received positive market response with some success."
The company aimed at providing a greener alternative to the denim-making sector, where denim manufacturers can save water, energy and time, as well as the cost of wastewater treatment with this new finish, and garment brands can enjoy a premium image and without a high price to go green.
Coating with plasma
Dow Corning also enhanced the plasma technology for textile applications, which has the potential to replace most coating processes in the market, according to Mr Feng, yet using 5% of the energy previously needed without water requirement.
In physics, plasma, a "fourth phase of matter" distinct from solids, liquids, and normal gases, is an electrically neutral, highly ionized gas composed of ions, electrons, and neutral particles.
In the textile field, plasma technology can be applied to both natural fibers, polymers and nonwoven fabrics. Without impacting internal structures of these fibers, it is able to impart hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties to the surface of a textile, or reduce its inflammability. Plasma containing fluorine can be used to optimize biocompatibility for medical textiles and implants.
Despite these benefits demonstrated in the laboratory, this plasma processing failed to be commercialized as it required low pressure in a closed-perimeter vacuum system until 2005, when Dow Corning launched the atmospheric pressure plasma liquid deposition, or APPLD, a proprietary dry-coating process enabling users to apply a slim slice of coatings using an aerosol for a particular type of functionality.
"It makes sense (to switch to the plasma finishing technology) when producers or designers can't deliver the desired effect(s), such as oil and water resistance on special fabrics, with the existing equipment. The plasma technology saves substantially energy consumption and operational costs, although the initial investment can be higher," said Mr Feng. This technology is customized for each user according to the specifications of the desired functionality, for instance, a percentage of oil and water resistance on a particular kind of fabric surface.
Dow Corning offers two equipment platform options suitable for the processing of materials in flexible web or fiber/filament form, namely SE-100 LabLine system, which is an R&D, pilot production or narrow web production tool for webs up to 320mm wide; and SE-1000 AP4 system, a pilot or mainstream production tool for webs up to a width of 2.5 meters.
In face of a tougher environment with rising renminbi and costs, textile suppliers in China, such as those situated in the southern provinces, showed more eagerness to differentiate and explore niche markets with innovative ideas and practical applications that clients (usually brands) would see value they could leverage on, he added. This included production of high-performance textiles with special functionality such as iron-free, wrinkle-free, stain-resistant and solvent-protective properties.
In addition, he is also optimistic with the sector of industrial textiles used in construction, automobiles and other manufacturing fields in Asia.
Asian automotive sector looks promising
The sales volume of passenger cars in China exceeded five million units last year, up about 20% from the previous year, making China the second largest auto consumption country in the world. There is an average of 1.4 airbags on each of these motorcars moving on the road, according to Mr Feng, who expected airbags, such as side-impact airbags, would have colossal potentials in China and other emerging markets, including India.
With the strengthening Indian rupee, Mr Feng expected the country's textile industries to evolve its role in the coming years. The quest of niche segments in such fields as automotive and industrial textiles would be imminent among Indian suppliers who saw their environment more challenging than previous years.
Active Protection System fabric (left) is used to produce protective gear of Rukka |
Moving forward, he highlighted the promising future of intelligent textiles with advanced fabrics of Active Protection System (APS). The patented technical textiles involve a special finishing technology to provide a combination of defence and comfort for personal impact-protection applications.
The fabric remains soft and flexible under normal conditions, but hardens instantly upon impact to absorb and distribute energy over the entire protective area. When the impact force is removed, the material immediately returns to a flexible state.
This next-generation fabric was first commercialized by a Finnish sports apparel maker Rukka in 2006. Its potential applications extend from protective sports and work apparel, industrial and geo fabrics, architecture and construction, to security and civil defence.
Regarding the strategy in Asia, Mr Feng said: "Dow Corning views the Asia region as a high-priority geographical location with the potential for immense growth over the next several years." The company thus invests considerably in the region and a recent example is its first representative office for Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City last December.
He explained that China was a strategic component of the company's future success and the company built in 2002 an application center in the Songjiang Industrial Zone, Shanghai, adjacent to its manufacturing plant. With a workforce of over 35 technical professionals, the center focuses on application testing, services and local product development, as well as other customer activities. It provides 10% of R&D resources of Dow Corning worldwide.
Other markets in Asia look also promising this year, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Cambodia, he added.
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| Copyright © Adsale Publishing Limited. Any party needs to reprint any part of the content should get the written approval from Adsale Publishing Ltd and quote the source "ATA Journal for Asia on Textile & Apparel", Adsale Textile English Website - www.AdsaleATA.com. We reserve the right to take legal action against any party who reprints any part of this article without acknowledgement. For enquiry, please contact Editorial Department. |
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| Copyright © Adsale Publishing Limited. Any party needs to reprint any part of the content should get the written approval from Adsale Publishing Ltd and quote the source "ATA Journal for Asia on Textile & Apparel", Adsale Textile English Website - www.AdsaleATA.com. We reserve the right to take legal action against any party who reprints any part of this article without acknowledgement. For enquiry, please contact Editorial Department. |
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