Finishing

Appretan® E

The company’s latest Appretan E range of dispersions, for example, is well-suited to the finishing of technical fabrics such as nonwovens and coated textiles, in achieving required performance properties while also imparting water, alcohol and solvent resistance. Appretan E polymers comply with the ‘zero formaldehyde’ requirements stipulated by Japan Law 112, Öko-tex and the EU’s EcoLabel, among others, with less than 20 ppm detectable on the substrate.

Appretan E products are fully effective without the use of any external crosslinker such as melamine formaldehyde resin, which would be a strong additional source of free formaldehyde. They are also APEO free, in compliance with the European 2003/53/EC directive. Appretan E polymer dispersions can be easily combined with other chemicals such as flame retardants, fluorotelomers and thickeners for achieving additional properties during application.

Hydroperm® ECO liq

Also formaldehyde free is Hydroperm ECO, a new Clariant hydrophilizing agent with softener properties for providing moisture management finishes to shirting, outdoor clothing and sportswear made from cotton, polyamide and blends. Hydroperm ECO significantly improves the transport of moisture, wicking and surface evaporation, while imparting a soft handle to knitted and woven fabrics. At the same time, it will not impair the degree of whiteness of optically brightened goods, but is not recommended for use with polyester fabrics.

Solusoft® MSJ liq

As a newly-developed silicone softener for the exhaust process on jets and other application machines with high shearing forces, Clariant’s Solusoft® MSJ provides an outstandingly soft and flowing hand to fabrics.

Developed with modern silicone chemistry, it is nevertheless produced with the same special emulsification technique used to make Clariant’s widely-used Solusoft MEJ, to achieve the effective and reliable shearing stability of the micro-emulsion.

Ceraperm® SFC liq

Another special silicone compound is Ceraperm SFC, which has been developed for use with fluorocarbon products. In contrast to most other softeners, and especially existing silicones, it has no negative influence on water and oil repellency.

It is recommended for use with dual action fluorocarbons such as Nuva 4200 and with soil release products like Nuva SRCN. Ceraperm SFC provides a very soft and pleasing hand on finished knitwear goods and also improves sewing properties and helps to avoid stitching damage.

Pekoflam® DPN.CN liq conc

Other new Clariant products for the finishing sector include Pekoflam® DPN.CN. It is an organic phosphorus compound for the permanent flame-retardant finishing of cotton and cotton-rich blends. It provides excellent wash resistance and – depending on the cross linker system – is effective at up to 95°C. It is low yellowing and suitable for Öko-tex Class IV requirements.

Nuva® 2065 liq

Nuva 2065 is a specifically-developed fluorocarbon for high water column and oil repellent performance on PAN (polyacrylic nitrile). To achieve maximum performance, Clariant advises the application of Nuva 2065 with its Cassurit melamine resin.

Dyeing and Printing

Lyogen® PA liq

Among new products for dyeing is Lyogen PA, a leveling agent for the exhaust dyeing of polyamide fibers and their blends with acid and metal complex dyes. 

Lyogen PA improves dye distribution at the start of the dyeing process before heating and controls the exhaustion rate of the dyes during heating up, promoting even distribution of the dyes during the migration phase at the boil.

It has no influence on the fixation rate of the dyes and no adverse effect on wet and light fastnesses. Lyogen PA can also be used for stripping or levelling-up defective dyeing runs and is also suitable for washing off prints on polyamide fabrics.

Imacol® MPA liq

Also for use with polyamide fibers, and especially microfibers, is Imacol MPA, a highly effective lubricant which reduces fiber-fiber and fiber-metal friction, enhancing the gliding properties of the fabric and making it capable of recovery from wet creases.

Imacol MPA also helps shrinking processes to be carried out more rapidly and uniformly. Chafe marks are avoided and the piece goods in rope form can be plaited down in regular folds. 

Non-foaming Imacol MPA is highly effective over wide pH and temperature ranges and does not affect shade and fastness properties. It can be applied at the scouring, bleaching, fluorescent brightening, dyeing and after-treatment phases of production.

Drimagen® E3R liq

For the exhaustion of reactive dyes, Drimagen E3R is an economic levelling agent that controls and ensures their uniform distribution during the absorption phase.

It has a dispersing/disaggregating effect on dyes with poor solubility. It also ensures uniform fixation during alkali addition in the dyebath and as a result of its effect on pH, improves reproducibility. Drimagen E3R is also non-foaming.

Eganal® PLM liq

Another new levelling agent which combines dispersing, diffusion-accelerating and migration-promoting properties is Eganal PLM. It particularly improves the dispersion stability of dyes in the bath and ensures good penetration and increased colour yield. 

Eganal PLM also aids the cover of materials with different affinities, allowing either a reduction in the dyeing time and/or the dyeing temperature. It is suitable for the levelling and partial stripping of faulty dyeing runs and does not affect wet fastnesses, with minimal or no impact on the usual light fastness. No unpleasant odour is generated during dyeing or drying and the product is non-foaming. It is suitable for exhaust dyeing 100% polyester and its blends with cellulosic fibers in jets and package dyeing machines under HT conditions.

Optical brightening agents

Leucophor® BMBB liq

Among other new products from Clariant, Leucophor BMBB is a universally applicable, bluish and brilliant fluorescent optical brightener for cellulosic fibers and their blends with synthetics.

It can be used in exhaust processes with salt addition and/or in peroxide bleach liquors and is particularly suitable for padding processes with peroxide pad rolls, pad steam and immersion bleaches. It is also suitable for use with finishes to add strength, handle and filling and in neutral-to-weakly acid-reactant resin finishing liquors.

Leucophor® BMBB produces brilliant bluish brightening effects with a high maximum whiteness and is distinguished by good light and wet fastness properties.

Fiber treatment

Afilan® AKT liq

For providing polyester, polypropylene, polyamide or acrylic staple fibers with anti static properties in addition to a strong anti-corrosive effect, Afilan AKT can be applied to fabrics by spraying, padding or immersion.

It usually does not yellow white goods even at higher drying and thermo set temperatures and has no effect on the shade or fastness properties of dyed goods. In addition, Afilan AKT, which is based on high quality raw materials, does not cause thermo-migration.

Relaunches

Solusoft® FE liq

In addition to all of these new products, Clariant is also relaunching its Solusoft FE. This very specific silicone softener significantly improves the rubbing fastness of pigment-printed fabrics to provide the well-known ‘glacier’, cool and smooth hand to the fabric. Excellent sewability of the finished fabric is another benefit. Solusoft FE is recommended for use in pad application and suitable for all fibers.

NanoSphere®

Finally, in co-operation with Schoeller Technologies AG, Clariant has also improved the formulation of its advanced NanoSphere self-cleaning finish.

The two companies are employing the latest advanced C6 fluorocarbon technology to ensure the product is free from the perfluorinated chemicals PFOA and PFOS. In combination with the most effective self-cleaning effect, oil and water repellency, abrasion resistance and washing permanence, safe and environmentally friendly NanoSphere is a unique new finishing product developed in Switzerland. www.nano-sphere.ch.

Courtesy: Clariant International Ltd.
Division TLP/Business Textile
TechCenter Reinach
Muttenz, Switzerland.