Chemical free finishing of textiles for sustainable improvement of wettability
At a glance
- Project leader : Dr. Oliver Döbrich
- Project team : Daphné Beaujoint, Dr. Fawzy Sherif
- Project status : ongoing
- Funding partner : SNSF
- Contact person : Oliver Döbrich
Description
The proposed exchange aims to advance sustainable technologies in textile and composite material engineering. Addressing the global pressure on the textile industry to adopt ecological practices, the project focuses on innovative, chemical-free finishing techniques for natural fibers and natural/synthetic fiber blends. Specifically, the research investigates the use of supercritical CO2 and plasma torch treatments to enhance the wettability and interface properties of textiles, while minimizing environmental impact. The project will explore the effects of these technologies on various fabric structures, including plain and twill weaves, to improve dyeability and reduce energy consumption and waste production. By leveraging Switzerland's advanced research capabilities and Egypt's robust textile industry, the project aims to develop sustainable solutions that align with the Swiss STC 2030 program. This collaboration will contribute to cleaner production processes, better working conditions, and improved product quality in both the textile and composite material sectors.