ZDHC green light for Fibre52 cotton technology

Category: General

Country: United States

Region: Texas, US

By Haydn Davis
04 October 2023

HOUSTON - Fibre52's cotton preparation and dyeing technology, which claims to eliminate harsh chemical usage while also reducing the amount of water and energy required, has been certified by ZDHC and is now on the organisation's list of approved chemistries.

According to Fibre52, traditional cotton preparation treatments often involve the use of hazardous chemicals and high heat that weakens the cotton fibres. Its prepare for dye (PFD) and dye process, however, replaces these chemicals with bio-active products and uses lower levels of heat in the pre-treatment process, saving up to 70% less water and up to 40% less energy, the company says.

Announcing the accreditation, Laura Thornquist, president of Fibre52, said the environmentally safe process was particularly important for fashion brands and textile mills that require ZDHC validation in order to comply with government regulations related to the chemistries they use and validation of their sustainability claims.

“We aim to be an industry leader by offering a net-neutral, bio-friendly chemistry that’s combined with an easy-to-adopt process for preparing and dyeing cotton,” she said. “By aligning our practices with ZDHC’s guidelines, Fibre52 is playing a role in reshaping the global textile and fashion industry toward greater sustainability.”

Achieving certification involved testing Fibre52’s chemistries to the ToxFMD Screened Chemistry standards required by ZDHC. This included testing of both products and residuals to prove that Fibre52’s chemistries are non-toxic, environmentally safe and fully comply with ZDHC guidelines.

Fibre52 has also undergone a series of tests overseen by researchers at North Carolina State University and testing, inspection and certification company SGS to prove performance functionality.

The results rank Fibre52 'high' on dynamic cooling and drying rate tests as well as high marks for low pilling and improved tear strength. The tests revealed Fibre52 cotton provides a steady heat flux and a short drying time, proving the wearer would feel more comfortable in hot and cold temperatures due to the slow change of the micro-climate.

Harrie Schoots, president of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, added: "For decades, polyester and cotton have been in a race to be the fabric that contains the best properties of synthetic and natural fibres.

"Fibre52 gives a big lead to the cotton team in this race to produce an ultra-performance fabric, with no treatments, that brings the best of both worlds: optimal continuous comfort in a breathable natural fabric that manages moisture and dries quickly."

Courtesy: Ecotextile.com