LEVERKUSEN, Germany — November 16, 2023 — The textile trade goals to scale back its environmental footprint. Switching from analog printing to digital printing utilizing pigment inks can allow an 85 p.c discount in waste supplies, a 55 p.c decreasing of power consumption, a 60 p.c discount of water consumption, and a 95 p.c lower of CO2 emissions, and represents a chance to make textiles extra sustainable. Digital textile printing additionally allows effectivity advantages corresponding to shorter instances to market and single-digit lot sizes produced shut to finish customers. These benefits imply the adoption of inkjet printing is rising, however the expertise will solely attain its potential whether it is supported by superior formulations and thoroughly chosen uncooked supplies, specifically designed for digital textile printing. Not all polyurethane binders are appropriate.
KRONOS, a number one supplier of titanium dioxide pigments, and Covestro, a worldwide main producer of high-quality polymers, are collaborating to reveal how progressive new materials options can assist the uptake of digital inkjet printing on materials, advancing the textile trade’s sustainability transition. Following testing by the 2 uncooked materials suppliers and validation by trade companions, the collaboration efficiently demonstrates that Covestro’s waterborne INSQIN® portfolio of Impranil® polyurethane binders and Imprafix® cross-linkers is appropriate with the white pigment dispersion KRONOS 9900 Digital White. No vital sedimentation was noticed, and all formulations confirmed good stability even after 4 weeks of testing at 50°C.
As such, the confirmed compatibility of the 4 Covestro binders Impranil® DL 1602, Impranil® DL 1618, Impranil® DL 1620, and Impranil® DL 1623 with KRONOS 9900 Digital White is an thrilling growth, opening the door to elevated uptake of inkjet material printing. Collectively, these substances create an acceptable formulation for a dependable printing course of.
A brand new state-of-the-art binder tackles sagging
Covestro additionally developed a brand new polyurethane dispersion, Impranil® DL 1606, particularly to handle the actual downside of sagging – a well known high quality subject ensuing from the comparatively excessive ink masses wanted for direct-to-foil (DTF) printing, which was recognized within the context of the collaboration. This state-of-the-art binder presents glorious anti-sagging properties and allows excessive white ink masses, making it a successful selection for white pigment inks utilized in inkjet printing. Its efficiency in compatibility, stability, printability, and picture high quality has been validated by Covestro’s innovation companions, which means textile producers can reap the environmental and effectivity advantages of digital printing with full confidence in a high-quality outcome.
Dr. Torsten Pohl, Head of World Textile Coatings, Covestro: “By becoming a member of forces with one other uncooked supplies provider, we will deal with two key pigment ink challenges going through the rising digital inkjet printing market: formulation and sagging. Working along with KRONOS brings us one other step nearer to a extra sustainable textile trade!”
Jürgen Bender, World Market Improvement Supervisor, KRONOS: “Due to this collaboration, we’ve ensured that our progressive KRONOS 9900 Digital White aqueous pigment focus is appropriate with Covestro’s INSQIN® polyurethane binders – excellent for direct-to-foil textile printing. Furthermore, the brand new KRONOS growth addresses the necessity in inkjet purposes for highest stability in bottle, drum, printhead, in-flight and on-substrate. Collectively, we’ve cleared a barrier to the uptake of extra sustainable digital printing applied sciences.”
Posted: November 16, 2023
Supply: Covestro AG