As far as Knitting Fair knows, the textile industry (cotton printing and dyeing) clean production standards being as reference and green production full control in the whole process as the guiding ideology, the green evaluation indexes are formed and have better feasible manipulation.
Consumption of water and energy (CWE)
The textile industry is one of the industry sectors consuming water largely. The main water consumption is generated from production technical processes including bleaching and boiling, dyeing, printing, finishing, washing of wool, reeling in a cocoon, etc. In addition, there is a large amount of water consumption coming from textile plant conditioners and staff living. Water consumption can be measured by ton per ten thousand.
Chemical fiber, cotton textile and printing and dyeing plants are also main energy consumption industries. At present, domestic main textile product per unit energy consumption is 40% higher than that of an international advanced level. Plants rough management results in not only numerous waste of resources, serious environment pollution but also high cost. Assessing water and energy consumption can help to lower production cost, save resource and reduce environment press. Energy consumption can be measured by tons of standard coal per ten thousand.
Treatment of wastewater, gas, and materials (TWWGM)
Wastewater mainly comes from textile and dyeing process. Textile wastewater contains natural impurities, organic matter of fat and asylum. Printing and dyeing wastewater contains organic matter of dyes, amylum, cellulose, lignin, detergent, and inorganic matter of alkali, sulfide and various salts. Waste gas mainly includes sulfur dioxide, fume, and dust, which generate during coal burning and pollute environment seriously. Waste materials mainly include offal short fiber coming from a chemical and mechanical action, waste yarn and waste materials during spinning and weaving production, corner or excess cloth during clothing cutting process. These waste materials are treated by burning or burying which pollute environment seriously.
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Control of harmful materials to human health (CHM)
During planting of natural fiber, chemical fertilizers and pesticides are used inevitably. Some poisonous substances and chemical residue will remain in the final products which cause crimes to people. Some dyes and auxiliaries such as antiseptics, preservatives, azo dyes, and formaldehyde, which are used during dyeing and printing production, have powerful toxicity too. These chemical substances may cause various hazards such as skin allergies, dermatitis, and respiratory discomfort.
This index evaluates poisonous substance contents of raw materials, semi-finished products, and final products. Oeko-Tex Standard 100 is the most authoritative standard system in the world. It tests properties of PH value, formaldehyde, insecticide, colorfastness, banned azo dyes aryl amine, etc.Raw material and accessories and end product are needed to reach Oeko-Tex Standard 100.
Advanced technology, product, and design idea (ATP)
This index includes three-second level indexes to evaluate the green level of production technology, new products, and design idea. In recent years, many new green production technologies, green fibers and environmentally friendly dyes and auxiliaries are used which can improve the green level of textile and clothing production chains and increase the added value. Green design of textile and clothing is a new esthetics field. Its design ideas play an important role in publicity and consumption. Currently, many international famous designers and brands of textile and clothing have used kinds of ways to express green design idea. For example, recycle old materials to create new products, use pure nature and no polluted raw materials to produce clothing, design simple and fresh styles, etc
Package consumption (PC)
Textile and clothing package is not only a larger consumption and environmental pollution. According to statistics, to an annual output of 900 million shirts, the paper consumption of shirt box will reach 180,000 tons which are equal to 1,260,000 trees. So it has significance to control packing costs and use degradable packing materials. This index has two second-indexes to evaluate package pollution degree (whether use materials of environmental protection) and resource consumption (g/10,000 Yuan of industrial added value).
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The working environment of workshops (WEW)
Noise pollution is a serious problem in textile and clothing industry; especially in cotton textile industry. Due to a widespread use of shuttle looms, a noise in the weaving workshop can reach 90~106dB while the maximum allowable value to the ear is 85dB. As the report indicates, the effects of noise include tinnitus, headache, insomnia etc. This index includes two-second indexes to test and evaluate noise and an average density of dust (mg/m3) in textile and clothing workshop.
Source: textiles school
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Although man-made fibers are becoming more and more technological, customers of the Knitting Fair said that some people only accept natural fibers.
Fibers obtained from nature are generally called natural fibers and the fabrics produced with such fibers are essentially natural fabrics. A large number of natural sources of cellulose content are tapped to produce textile products. Various fiber producing plants and animals are commercially grown in order to meet the growing requirements of textile products. Natural materials blended with regenerated polymers is a new trend in textile production due to the composite products’ specific characteristics, and easy availability of natural fibers.
Commercially available textile fabrics generated with natural fibers are classified below by the source of fibers.
1. Cotton Fabric
Cotton is a natural fiber that comes from the seedpod of the cotton plant and is used to make many fabric types.The fabric which is believed to be most soothing and safe is called as cotton fabric. Immense use of cotton fabric for infant’s dresses or beddings is a live testimony of its softness and skin-friendliness. Cotton fabric has a distinctive feature that it adjusts easily to climatic requirements that is why it is called all-season fabric. In summer season cotton fabric keeps the body cool and absorbs the sweat easily whereas they give a warm feel if worn in a winter season.A wide variety of fabrics such as Calico, Corduroy, Denim, Gingham, Drill, Terry Toweling, Chintz, Cambric, Lawn, Gabardine, Poplin, Velvet, etc. are produced with Cotton.
silk cocoonsSilk counts to the strongest natural fabric in the world. Known for its softness, luster, beauty and luxurious look, silk fabric is one of the higher grade fabric providing comfort to the wearer in all types of weather. Keeping the body cool in summer and warm in winter, silk was discovered during 2640 B.C. in China.Variety of silk fabrics such as Chiffon, Georgette, Damask, Taffeta, Organza, Crepe de Chine, Duponi, Noil, Pongee, Shantung, Tussar, Satin, Doupion, etc. are available in the market. Because of its sheer variety of designs, weaving, and quality, silk textile is popular worldwide.
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Silk fabric is mainly used for making luxurious and expensive dresses and home furnishings. Indian silk textile is popular worldwide whereas the USA is the worlds leading manufacturer of silk products in France and Italy are also involved in the same line producing high-value sophisticated silk fabrics in Europe.
2. Linen Fabric
flax plantsLinen is called as king of natural fabric. Linen is extensively used for apparel making and home furnishing as well. Linen, being a natural fiber is considered to be safe for all types of skin.
Linen fabric is also suggested for sensitive skin as its natural properties makes it resistant to allergies.
Linen fabric does not cause problems like irritation, allergic reaction etc. The natural fiber of linen makes it strong and durable. Linen is an easily maintainable fabric. No special treatments are required for linen; it can be simply cleaned by hands. Although linen is used for all kinds of clothing, yet mostly used for home furnishing items like a tablecloth, bedspreads, interlining, curtains etc.
3. Wool Fabric
Merino sheepSoft, strong and very durable wool fabric provide warmth and attractive appearance. It is the fabric which keeps the wearer dry while sweating and cool when it is hot. Wicking away perspiration from the body, the wool fabric does not wrinkle easily and is resistant to dirt wear and tear. It is also having the quality of not burning when put over the flame, it only smolders. Felt made of wool fabric is used as covers for piano hammers. It is also used in absorbing odors and noise in machinery and stereo speakers.Wool fabric is being used for clothing for over twelve thousand years does not only come from sheep only, whereas widely used Kashmiri sweaters are made from goats.
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Wool fabric is equipped with different characteristics like warm, resists to wrinkle, wear and tear, it is lightweight and durable which also absorbs moisture. Have been largely used in blankets and carpets, today almost every wardrobe contains garment made of woolen fabric.
Worsted, Shetland, Baize, Flannel, Jersey, Tweed, Serge, Fleece, Tartan are few generally used wool fabrics.
4. Cashmere/Kashmiri Fabric
cashmere-goatCashmere Fabrics are made from the hair fiber forming the downy undercoat of the Kashmir goat. The term Cashmere Fabric is often used for extremely soft wools as well. Cashmere wool obtained from goats is often treated as specialty or luxury fiber because of its high economic value, softness, luster, and scarcity.
5. Leather Fabric
Comfortable in both hot and cold condition, the leather fabric is not affected by surrounding temperature. Adding a classic luxury, pleasant to touch and comfortable, the leather fabric is soft, elastic and firm. Leather fabric is blessed with the quality of absorbing water vapor without losing dryness and retaining to the original shape when stretched.
6. Ramie Fabric
Ramie Fabrics are produced from Ramie plants, a plant with heart-shaped leaves having the white underside with dense hairs. Ramie is also called China Grass since it was grown in China as a fiber crop. Ramie is one of the strongest natural fibers. It exhibits even greater strength when wet. Ramie fiber is known especially for its ability to hold shape, reduce wrinkling, and introduce a silky luster to the fabric appearance. Ramie fabric having characteristics like moisture absorption, air permeability is valued as a summer fabric which is not harmed by mild acid and is resistant to alkali. Ramie was used to produce open weave fabrics called “Mechera”, suitable for warm climates.
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7. Hemp Fabric
Highly versatile hemp fabric is used in a countless number of products like shoes, furniture, apparel, accessories and home furnishing. Hemp fabric is a fabric which is commonly known for its warmth, softness, and durability.
Providing beautiful lusture, hemp fabric is best for making apparel which can withstand harsh conditions and last longer. UV protected apparel fabric have an insulative quality that allows clothing to be cool in summer.
Having characteristics like durability, absorption, insulation, apparel fabric withstands water better than any other textile product. It is obtained from the stem of the plant, the finest hemp fabric is produced in Italy. Acting as a great choice for comfortable work clothes, home decoration, hemp fabric is also used in the manufacturing of clothing, curtains, draperies, upholstery, bedspreads, table linens, sheets, dish towels, canvas, etc.
8. Jute Fabric
Being among the strong and durable fabric, jute fabric is ideally being used as bags or sacks for packing since ages. The jute fabric is a much-soughed item for fashionable clothes, home furnishing, and fashion accessories. Bangladesh counts to the largest cultivator of jute fabric with India as the second largest jute goods manufacturer.
The most important use of the jute fabric is in the manufacturing of carpets, linoleum, cordage, and twines. It is sometimes used as webbing to cover inner springs of the auto seats. Sometimes used as fashion accessory used for fashion garments, tapestries, soft luggage, etc.
Source: textiles school
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