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Flame retardants from Ciba Specialty Chemicals
achieve Oeko-Tex Standard 100
Ciba PYROVATEX CP new, PYROVATEX CP-LF and Ciba
FLOVAN CGN and textiles treated with these flame retardants qualify
for Oeko-Tex Standard 100. These products have now been added to
the Oeko-Tex list of “active chemical substances”. This
means that independent experts have assessed and approved submitted
data. “Companies and individuals today want to be sure that
protective fabrics not only provide the required effect, but are
also safe in use and skin compatible,” says Christoph Biedermann,
Global Head of Ciba Specialty Chemicals’ Textile Effects Segment.
“Furthermore, special finishes must also allow flexibility
in coloration, in order to fulfill precise specifications and regulations.
Compatibility with other finishes is another
requirement. In addition, protective workwear needs to combine performance
with comfort. PYROVATEX flame retardants for protective workwear
and FLOVAN for other applications meet these needs.” PYROVATEX
CP new and CP-LF flame-retardant finishes for cotton are fast to
washing and compatible with numerous other treatments, such as oil-
and water-repellent finishes, enabling the creation of multifunctional
garments.
The treated fabrics shrink very little when exposed
to heat and flames, ensuring minimum exposure of the skin to hazardous
conditions. Treated cotton does not melt in the presence of heat
and affords high thermal protection where heat is an added danger.
Cotton garments finished with PYROVATEX flame retardants remain
comfortable to wear. PYROVATEX CP new and CP-LF finishes are used
by the oil, chemical, welding and metal, and electrical industries,
the armed forces and police, technical support institutions and
fire brigades. FLOVAN CGN flame-retardant finishes are suitable
for cellulose, polyester, wool, polypropylene and polyethylene fibers
and their blends. End uses are automotive textiles, mattress ticking,
building materials, curtains and drapes, and decorative fabrics.
FLOVAN CGN finishes are compatible with other treatments, such as
coatings and oil- and water-repellent finishes.
Ciba Specialty Chemicals (SWX: CIBN, NYSE: CSB)
is a leading global company dedicated to producing high-value effects
for its customers’ products. We strive to be the partner of
choice for our customers, offering them innovative products and
one-stop expert service. We create effects that improve the quality
of life – adding performance, protection, color and strength
to textiles, plastics, paper, automobiles, buildings, home and personal
care products and much more. Ciba Specialty Chemicals is active
in more than 120 countries around the world and is committed to
be a leader in its chosen markets.
In 2002, the Company generated sales of 7.1 billion
Swiss francs and invested 294 million in R&D.
| In December 2003 the textile processing
company Orta Anadolu of Kayseri, Turkey, signed a cooperation
agreement on the installation of the first pilot plant for electrochemical
dyeing of cheeses with Indigo dyes. This new technology, which
is patented by DyStar, is the result of a research alliance
between DyStar Textilfarben GmbH & Co. Deutschland KG, Germany,
the Institute for Textile Chemistry and Textile Physics of Innsbruck
University, Austria, and the machinery manufacturer Thies GmbH
& Co. KG, Coesfeld, Germany. Orta Andolu will be installing
the pilot plant in 2004. Orta Anadolu currently dyes Indigo
on conventional yarn dyeing ranges which produce the ring-dyed
yarns required for classic denim articles. However, these units
are not suitable for fine yarns or for full penetration dyeings.
Electrochemical dyeing of cheeses will therefore give Orta Anadolu
access to new article segments such as shirting fabrics and
wash-fast jeans in various deniers. Although there are conventional
processes for dyeing Indigo on cheeses, they are rarely used
because they tend to result in unlevelled dyeings and other
quality problems. Moreover, only a small proportion of the Indigo
is taken up by the fibre and the non-regenerable reducing agents
pollute production effluent.
By contrast, electrochemical dyeing
with DyStar’s pre-reduced Indigo Vat 40% Solution ensures
good levelness. Electrons from an electric current are used
instead of hydrosulphite as the reducing agent. These are
applied to the dye via a regenerable mediator and the dyebath
can be reused. This minimises both the amount of process chemicals
required and the contamination of production effluent. DyStar
and Thies presented the new technology at the ITMA textile
machinery exhibition in Birmingham, UK, and are anticipating
high demand for this environment-friendly innovation.
Electrochemical dyeing
The electrochemical dyeing process
has technical, ecological and economic benefits: shorter and
more reliable dyeing processes, improved reproducibility,
lower effluent costs and better quality. This process, which
is patented by DyStar, was developed in collaboration with
the Institute for Textile Chemistry and Textile Physics of
Innsbruck University in Dornbirn, Austria and the textile
machinery manufacturer Thies in Coesfeld, Germany. It is suitable
for Indanthren vat dyes, Indigo and Cassulfon sulphur dyes.
Unlike conventional dyeing processes, which use non-regenerable
reducing agents, the new electrochemical process uses electric
current to reduce the dyes with the aid of a regenerable Fe2+/Fe3+
redox system (mediator). By measuring the redox potential
of the dye liquor it is possible to control the dyeing process
and minimise process chemicals.
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