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Chemicals used in the Textile industry

Diverse Uses of Industrial Chemicals
Do you know that the global textile chemical industry is a multi-billion dollar industry that is expected to reach $33.1 billion by 2026?That’s a huge number, isn’t it?This is because the textile industry alone uses a lot of chemicals to convert raw fiber into finished cloth. Everything from curtains to bedsheets has some usage of industrial grade chemicals.So now you might get curious about what kind of industrial chemicals, the textile industry use.Let us learn about them in this blog.

Types of Chemicals Used in Textile Industry

Textile manufacturing goes through various stages of production systematically, The process starts with pre-treatment, dyeing, printing, finishing, washing, and ends with drying. Some common uses of industrial chemicals are as follows: 

Soda Ash:

Soda Ash is a common industrial chemical that is used in the textile industry. Soda ash helps in making the fabric a little bit alkaline because fabrics are known for their acidic surface. So, to neutralize the effect of some fabrics that are high in acidic surfaces, soda ash is required. 

Hydrogen peroxide:

H₂O₂, the chemical formula of hydrogen peroxide is used globally for bleaching. These bleaching agents help the fabric become whiter and brighter by removing all the unwanted colors from the fabric. It can be used for some natural and synthetic clothes. Due to the composition of hydrogen and oxygen molecules, this chemical, when used, harms the environment less. 

Sulphuric acid:

Sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄) is a very essential component in the textile industry, it helps in the process of forming a fiber called “rayon” from the source of wood pulp. This solution helps in breaking down cellulose to create and transform it into rayon fiber. 

Acetic acid:

Acetic acid is usually used during the dyeing process. This acid acts as a pH controller during dyeing. The right pH helps in giving perfect dye color and more colorfast dye so that the cloth can resist itself to fade away earlier. In short caustic soda helps in creating beautiful, colorful clothes and also increases the durability of a cloth along with giving them vibrant colors. 

Caustic soda:

Caustic soda also known as sodium hydroxide (NaOH), the chemical formula for caustic soda, helps in textile manufacturing. It is used in pre-treatment stages for removing unwanted materials and impurities such as fat, dirt, and wax from both natural and synthetic clothes. So that, the colors can be easily absorbed by the fiber. Dye penetration becomes easy and gets more colorfastness properties, which ultimately helps in achieving the desired final cloth. 

Formic acid:

Formic acid is also one of the basic chemicals used in the textile industry. It acts as a reducing agent, it is also used during the dyeing process to help fix the color of the fabric and make it colorfast. Formic acid is one step above, it gives the cloth more richer and deeper color. 

Softeners:

There are different kinds of softeners used in the textile industry according to the requirement. Silicon-based softeners are used to make the cloth feel silky and intensify the drape. This softener is commonly used in lingerie and activewear. The smoothness we feel on the cloth is because of the silicon softener. Reactive softeners are used to increase the durability of clothes. Example products of reactive softeners are towels and bedsheets because they need strong durability for a longer time. 

Anti-foaming agents:

These agents are also known as defoamers. These defoamers are used in the stages of wet processing and dyeing. There are majorly two common anti-foaming agents: silicon anti-foamer and non-silicon anti-foamer. Polymers with silicon backbones that are based on either water or oil are known as silicone-based antifoams. Other varieties of antifoams include those with organic and mineral bases. The use of these types of antifoams has decreased in certain applications due to the effectiveness of silicone-based products. 

Polyethylene Glycol(PEG):

PEG is a water-soluble polymer that acts as a softening and lubricating agent in anti-creasing formulations. It gives the fabric a smooth texture, it is mostly beneficial in making garments and towels where a smooth feel is desired. This chemical comes with anti-static properties which helps the fabric reduce the electrical charge present in it so that the cloth does not cling on you. PEG also allows for the smoother spinning of cloth so that the fiber breaks less. It improves efficiency in the textile manufacturing industries. 

Conclusion:

The textile industry is currently booming and has an expected target of reaching higher in the coming years. The mass production of textiles has only become possible through these helpful chemicals. It is justifiable to say that the Textile industry relies on a variety of chemicals in various stages of production from pre-treatment to the final product. However, it is always recommended to take precautions while using these chemicals because some of them are highly reactive and corrosive. Taking them into consideration before using is always a great choice. Avoid the use if you are allergic to some or the other chemical.

Trade Asia International is among the top chemical distributors across India. We aim to bridge the gap between chemical manufacturers and consumers by simplifying market access to multiple products.

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