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TWD Fibres GmbH launches yarn with self-cleaning effect

28 Jan '13

3 min read

TWD Fibres GmbH has developed a super-hydrophobic filament yarn with a permanent built-in self-cleaning effect in cooperation with the Institute for Textile Technology and Process Engineering (ITV) and the Institute of Textile Chemistry and Chemical Fibers (ITCF), both in Denkendorf, Germany. A botanical phenomenon, which can be observed for example in lotus plants, gave the impulse for this innovation: leaves with a rough and water-repellent surface structure self-clean, as dirt and micro-organisms roll off with the rain.

Up to now a self-cleaning effect could only be achieved temporarily by external refining processes, i.e. subsequent chemical treatment. In contrast to this, TWD Fibres GmbH's trend-setting innovation, with working title DIOLEN CLEAN PROJECT, achieves a permanent self-cleaning effect by using a specialized spinning process that integrates the self-cleaning effect in the yarn. It is expected that TWD Fibres GmbH's DIOLENCLEAN will be available as polyester filament yarn in raw white, package or dope dyed in various yarn counts once further development work has been completed.

Thus DIOLENCLEAN will meet a broad spectrum of requirements within the technical textiles market. The manufacturing process of this yarn consists of various stages to achieve the desired self-cleaning effect as permanent characteristic. The new TWD material exhibited significantly better cleaning characteristics compared to currently available textile applications in all common tests; such as the Martindale abrasion test, testing the fouling and cleaning characteristics in artificial weathering conditions based on DIN EN ISO 105-B04, and the DIN EN ISO 6330 method 7a washing tests.

The dynamic roll off angle is the decisive assessment criterion. Current research results were presented to international attendees at this year's Man-Made Fibers Congress in Dornbirn, Austria. Various companies have already expressed strong interest.

The product is expected to be available on the market from 2014. Many promising applications are possible: from home textiles (table cloths, furniture upholstery, decorative and curtain fabrics) for the private and contract sector, hospitals, pensioners' residences; outdoor and functional clothing; via car interior textiles (upholstery, side trim panels); to canvas, cover and tent fabrics.

TWD Fibres GmbH wants to actively include its customers into the innovation process and thus achieve optimum customer-centered higher added value within the DIOLENCLEAN PROJECT. Dialogues with pilot customers regarding further development co-operations are ongoing. The requirements profiles of various sectors need to be evaluated to inform the application orientated development work of the next few months.

TWD Fibres GmbH has decided to publicize the innovation and introduce the prototype to international trade media and visitors at its stall during the upcoming Heimtextil 2013 trade show, although the product requires further fine tuning prior to its market release. TWD Fibres GmbH, together with its sales and marketing company FR Safety Yarns GmbH & Co. KG, has a stall at Heimtextil in Frankfurt (Main) in hall 3.0 (D62).

TWD Fibres GmbH