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The breakthrough in bio-based textile printing is brought about

Published: October 15, 2024
Author: HFT

For increased sustainability, comfort, and durability, the industry-first Archroma NTR Printing System blends newly developed pigment black with specially designed auxiliaries, all while using renewable materials* and formaldehyde-free chemistry.

October 14, 2024, Pratteln, Switzerland Today, Archroma, a world pioneer in specialized chemicals for environmentally friendly solutions, unveiled the NTR Printing System, which will enable the first commercialization of bio-based pigment printing. It helps clothing and textile companies lessen their environmental impact while creating vibrant black hues on comfortable and long-lasting clothing. It is based on renewable raw materials* and is made for safer chemistry.

Brands looking to produce eco-friendly fabrics using pigments sourced from natural sources, including plants, are showing a lot of interest in bio-based pigment printing, a new technology. However, color quality and production performance have not proven adequate to sustain commercial-scale production, and bio-based pigments have not yet produced color fastness that is comparable to synthetic pigments.

The first to use renewable feedstock* for pigment dispersion, binder, and fixing agent is Archroma’s NTR Printing System. Most importantly, it guarantees exceptional softness on a variety of textiles and good wet and dry rubbing fastness. Additionally, it has exceptional runnability for production efficiency and is appropriate for the most widely used application processes, such as printing, coating, and continuous pigment dyeing.

According to Joaquin Femat, Market Segment Director for Printing at Archroma, “these qualities make the new NTR Printing System ideal for the highly competitive denim market, where sustainability, comfort, and durability are important; for knits, where very soft handfeel is essential; and on babywear, where both exceptional softness and safety are required.”

Another example of innovation within Archroma’s “PLANET CONSCIOUS+” roadmap is this most recent discovery. In order for brands and mills to stand out with solutions that satisfy their business objectives and sustainability targets, we create ground-breaking goods, systems, and technologies with more sustainability characteristics than the market alternatives and improved value,” he added.

In order to guarantee fastness for the pigment black dispersion similar to existing petroleum-based printing systems, Archroma had to design specialized binding and fixing agents for the novel new NTR Printing System, which was the outcome of more than two years of research and development. To lessen dependency on non-renewable petrochemicals, all three printing components are partially based on renewable feedstock. Additionally, Archroma created the new technology to steer clear of formaldehyde and other harmful input streams and contaminants. Jeanologia and Textprint S. A. were used in two successful bulk trials.

The following incredibly reliable and effective printing components make up the NTR printing system:

  • PRINTOFIX® BLACK NTR-TF: A non-gelling black pigment with a 79% renewable carbon content* that doesn’t affect fastness levels when used in textile applications.
  • HELIZARIN® NTR-SS: A super-soft binder with 40% regenerated carbon content** that is free of formaldehyde and developed to guarantee extremely high levels of overall fastness. • LUPRINTOL® FIXING AGENT NTR-HF: A fixing agent with 40% renewable carbon content** that is free of formaldehyde and developed for exceptional wet fastness in laundry and rubbing.

Currently, all three components are being assessed for conformance to internationally recognized standards such as Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC), the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), and Bluesign®. Major industry restricted substances list (RSL) criteria are also supported by the system.
“Archroma can now leverage the most comprehensive portfolio of cutting-edge printing solutions in the industry to customize systems for specific customer needs with the introduction of the bio-based NTR Printing System,” Mr. Femat stated. “With a history of innovation that includes the introduction of the first formaldehyde-free pigment printing system in 2012, we continue to lead the world in pigment printing.”

  • Partially renewable raw materials are used in the NTR printing technology.* Using radiocarbon analysis for bio-based product testing in accordance with ASTM D6866

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