DyStar Textilfarben GmbH & Co. Deutschland KG of Frankfurt and BASF SE of Ludwigshafen, Germany, have recently signed a cooperation agreement on joint research and development aimed at improving the dyeing of textile polyamide fibers. BASF is responsible for new polymers for fiber production while DyStar will see to the development of the dyes.

 Within its Ultramid® product line, BASF is developing new fiber polymers with improved dye absorption. This allows the use of dyes that achieve high levels of wet fastness and light fastness and that also have good fixation properties. With its Telon® RN dyes, DyStar has succeeded in developing a complete range of reactive dyes for polyamide including a three color combination with good compatibility that meet very high fastness requirements.

The Telon RN dyes allow brilliant and deep shades of color. They lend themselves particularly well for high-end articles that require fastness at laundering temperatures of up to 95°C [203°F] and multiple wash cycles at high temperatures. Furthermore, DyStar is offering its Isolan® NHF-S and Telon M dyes which are already well-established on the market and which fulfill all of the standard fastness requirements made by leading retailers.

Steve Barron, Head of Strategic Marketing, viewed the agreement as a significant step towards new developments and innovative products. "We welcome the close cooperation with BASF. We are convinced that BASF's experience in polymer development will have a very positive impact on the development and marketing of our range of Telon RN dyes. As a leading supplier of products and services for the entire textile industry, we are working with BASF to make a major contribution to quality improvement for retailers and brandname suppliers."

Dr. Wolfgang Micklitz, head of BASF’s Global Business Management Polyamide and Intermediates points out, "Together with DyStar, we can promote beneficial polymer developments for the textile branch." Whether polyamide fibers are used on their own or in a blend with cotton, they have acquired ever-greater significance for fashionable and functional clothing in recent years, so that they have now become indispensable in modern fashion for sports and recreation. Aside from the standard grades, highly pigmented fibers and microfibers are being used more and more widely.

These fibers and the dyes for outdoor articles such as tents, sleeping bags as well as functional and sports clothing all have to meet high requirements in terms of wet fastness and light fastness and have to be suitable for multiple wash cycles at high temperatures.