#Techtextil / Texprocess 2013
Devan Chemicals wins the Techtextil Innovation Prize 2013 – New Materials
This new innovation is a functional masterbatch from the @2spin range that allows the dyeing and printing of polypropylene through conventional processes, something that the industry has been looking at for more than 30 years. A patent application has recently been filed.
Polypropylene (PP) is a thermoplastic polymer used in a wide variety of applications including textiles (e.g. floor-coverings, upholstery, apparel, non-wovens, technical textiles, …)
The advantages of PP are quite well known in the market:
- Good bulk and covering, very lightweight fabrics possible (olefin fibres have the lowest specific gravity of all fibres)
- Good stain and soil resistant
- Low moisture absorption
- Resistant to deterioration from chemicals
- Easy to produce
- Cheap raw material
- Increased level of colour change waste
- Large stock levels of yarn and colour masterbatch
The innovation is based on a different approach. The product is added to standard PP fibre grade polymers by means of a direct dosing unit. Due to its unique composition and the production process it is homogeneously distributed into the fibres and allows a uniform dyeing. This new innovation makes it finally possible for PP fibre to be dyed homogeneously through conventional dyeing processes, resulting in good washing and light fastness properties if good quality dyes are used and without negative side effects on the physical properties of the fibre.












