Arkema introduces new ENCOR® waterborne dispersions with up to 30% bio-based content, cutting carbon emissions by 40% and supporting sustainable textile printing and finishing.

Arkema, a prominent company in the Specialty Materials sector, has introduced its latest range of ENCOR® bio-based waterborne dispersions specifically designed for textile printing and finishing applications. These new binders feature up to 30% bio-based content and offer as much as a 40% reduction in carbon footprint compared to traditional textile resins, aligning with efforts within the textile industry to lower environmental impact and promote more sustainable lifestyles.

The textile value chain contributes significantly to global emissions, responsible for 6 to 8% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions, according to Arkema. With growing demand for textiles worldwide, the need to transform the sector and reduce its carbon footprint has become increasingly urgent. Helene Pernot, Global Sustainability Marketing Director at Arkema’s Coating Solutions division, emphasized the importance of bio-based solutions in this transition. Speaking to Ethical Marketing News, she said, “Bio-based solutions set the stage for the next generation of more sustainable textile products, supporting our customers to achieve their sustainability and carbon reduction goals.”

Arkema’s sustainability approach covers the entire product lifecycle. This includes creating safer formulations that are free from formaldehyde and alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEOs), ensuring compliance with Oeko-Tex® Eco Passport standards, and suitability for food contact applications. Patricia Beurdeley, Global Market Manager for Nonwovens & Textile at Arkema Coating Solutions, highlighted these safety and sustainability features, stating, “We also focus on end-of-life management, with work to enhance the biodegradability of our future grades, extending durability, as well as improving color solidity and washing resistance.”

Through these innovations, Arkema aims to support the textile industry’s transformation by supplying bio-based, lower carbon footprint materials that maintain high performance and safety standards across the product’s lifecycle, from production to disposal.

Source: Noah Wire Services