Catalysis and Chemical Engineering Global Conference

Catalysis has the potential to revolutionize the textile industry, making it more environmentally friendly and efficient in its production processes. Catalytic techniques can significantly improve dyeing, textile finishing, and wastewater treatment processes, reducing resource consumption and environmental pollution. This session focuses on the innovative applications of catalysis in the textile sector, illustrating how these processes enhance fabric quality, promote environmentally friendly practices, and support sustainable manufacturing.

Dyeing is one of the most resource-intensive processes in textile manufacturing, requiring substantial water, energy, and chemical usage. Catalytic processes can enhance dye absorption, requiring less water and reducing processing time. For instance, enzyme catalysis enables dyes to penetrate fibers at lower temperatures, conserving energy and preserving fabric integrity. Additional enzymes, such as laccases and peroxidases, aid in achieving vibrant colors while using fewer chemicals, resulting in a cleaner, more sustainable process.

Catalysis also plays a role in textile finishing to achieve specific properties like water repellency, wrinkle resistance, and stain protection. Catalysts enable precise modification of surface properties, enhancing product performance without compromising quality. Nano-catalysts, for example, are used to create self-cleaning and durable antibacterial fabrics, reducing the need for frequent washing and lowering both water consumption and the industry’s environmental footprint.

In wastewater treatment, catalysis aids in breaking down dyes and other organic pollutants generated during textile processing. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) accelerate the degradation of pollutants, using catalysts like titanium dioxide to oxidize harmful chemicals into less toxic forms. This reduction in pollutant levels minimizes the impact of textile wastewater on ecosystems. Additionally, catalytic methods support circular water management by enabling the reuse of water within the production cycle, contributing to sustainable water use in textile manufacturing.