Chitosan - A sizing agent in fabric production development and ecological evaluation

Chitosan, a natural polymer, was investigated as a possible sizing agent in fabric production by appropriate modification in the textile industry. Based on recipe developments at a laboratory-scale, the ecological and economical potential of mainly cotton yarns were demonstrated and developed. Subsequent tests within the scope of industrial production confirmed the findings of the basic developments. As an interesting alternative to the conventional sizing process involving the removal of the size after weaving, the use of appropriate processing technologies makes it possible to apply chitosan in the form of a sizing agent resistant to wash-out processes. Therefore, the wash-out process and the combined wastewater loadingr can be avoided and the properties of chitosan can be used beneficially in the later applications of the fabric. The traditional method of sizing and weaving developments as well as the analyses of material recycling showed the possibilities of using closed circuits in textile production involving sizing agent and water. It is possible that a chitosan-specific enzyme suitable for production conditions, which facilitates the wash-out process in combination with the biodegradation of the wastewater in a sewage plant, could be developed.