SDC conference deliberates colouration issues in synthetics

"Even as the Indian textile industry has got vast opportunities in the quota-free regime, it has to adopt a selective investment approach in laboratory technologies. Today, there is huge pressure on quality from all aspects and this calls for evolving an efficient dyeing/processing system to meet the challenges," stated Mr Peter Diggle, president of the Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC) while addressing its Colour Trends 2005 conference recently in Mumbai.

According to Mr Diggle who presented a paper on novel technologies for dyeing of polyester, "Controlling quality of dyeing depends upon individual unit's approach towards creating a culture for quality performance. Often poor quality performance costs heavily to the business by way of extended processing time, substandard fabric, additional energy and late delivery."

The chief guest of the event, Mr R K Dalmia, chairman, Bombay Mill Owners' Association spoke of the increased consumption of both cotton and synthetics in the country. He also touched upon some of the grey areas like labour policies and poor infrastructure that were an impediment to the progress of the Indian textile industry. Dr M Teli, chairman, SDC Mumbai region, in his address highlighted the commonly known fact that the chemical processing sector was the weak link in the textile industry, and also added how SDC could help strengthen this link.

Mr Ullhas Nimkar, vice president, SDC India sounded optimistic about India's prospects in the new trade setting as India is emerging as the only option after China for buyers of textiles in the world market. "Things are definitely looking up on the domestic front. Though investments so far have been slow in the processing sector, these will pick up with buyers imposing pressure," added Mr Nimkar. Mr Werner Tissen of DyStar dealt with the recent trends in coloration of polyester fibres, covering aspects related to both advances in colourants and fibres. Mr Rolf Roos of Ciba Specialty Chemicals spoke on a proprietary reactive dyeing system for polyamides over a wide range of operating temperatures, while Mr Richard Chow from Colourtex spoke on the advances in the use of acid dyes for coloration of polyamides.