Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals, will showcase at ITMA 2015 its innovative technologies specially designed to take up customers’ challenges at every step of the production chain.
Being true to its long-term commitment to sustainability and innovation, Archroma will present solutions that combine performance, cost optimization and responsible textile production, under the motto: “Colors enhanced. Performance enhanced. Sustainability enhanced.”
Archroma brings together decades of experience in formulation and technical know-how in dyestuff and pigments. With the recent acquisition of BASF Chemicals textile business and 49 per cent of M. Dohmen, the company is gaining further strength, particularly in the areas of printing and automotive.
The company introduced over the past few years a number of innovations that gained wide industry acclaim. At ITMA 2015, Archroma will put the spotlight on two new ground-breaking solutions: EarthColors and Inkpresso.
The EarthColors range of dyes is created from agricultural waste like almond shells, saw palmetto, rosemary leaves, etc. They can be used to provide rich red, brown and green colors to denim and casualwear.
The information about the individual batches of color and the garments production route is available to brand owners to be put on hang tags to be attached to each item of clothing and accessed using Near Field Communications (NFC), a sophisticated and consumer-friendly technology incorporated into smartphones.
With EarthColors, Archroma helps brand owners and textile mills by letting the consumer know how the colors of their clothes are made and where the raw materials come from.
Archroma, together with a Swiss technology provider, will introduce for the very first time at ITMA 2015 a pioneering system that will mark a turnaround in the textile digital printing market. Inkpresso will change the way inks are supplied to digital printers. It brings together benefits such as production flexibility, no shelf-life problems, a larger color spectrum and the possibility of an individual coloristic fingerprint.
Archroma offers a constant flow of eco-advanced and innovative new process and functional chemicals, aiming at providing solutions that combine performance, safety and low impact on resources. It regularly partners with innovation-driven players such as Schoeller, Sanitized and Cotton Incorporated to offer brands to textile producers, and the latest and best available technologies to retailers.
At ITMA 2015, Archroma will also present two major innovations: SmartRepel Hydro and its “zero add-on” formaldehyde solutions. The SmartRepel Hydro range is Archroma’s nature-friendlier protection that keeps cotton, polyester and polyamide textiles dry. The unique technology offers exceptional and durable water repellency. SmartRepel Hydro supports the increasing adoption of eco-advanced materials and production processes by textile producers and brand owners.
“Zero add-on” formaldehyde solutions
After January 1, 2016, formaldehyde will be reclassified by ECHA as “may cause cancer” (Carc. 1B). Ready for the challenge, Archroma will present at ITMA a unique proposition combining: Fixapret Resin WFF, a “zero add-on” formaldehyde no-iron finishing system, and Helizarin EcoSafe a “zero add-on” formaldehyde printing system.
With Fixapret Resin WFF, and Helizarin EcoSafe, consumers can enjoy end-products that look good, whilst saving on precious resources and being gentler on the skin.
Sustainability enhanced
Brand owners and retailers around the world are taking action to evaluate the environmental impact of textile treatment, dyeing and finishing processes in response to consumer concerns. It is no longer sufficient merely to comply with relevant regulations.
Archroma is a step ahead of its peers. In 2012, the company launched a game-changing service, ONE WAY designed to demonstrate textile manufacturers, brands and retailers that it is possible to bring together the twin objectives of ecology and economy. The tool provides a fast, measurable and reliable approach to the selection of chemical product and resource saving process solutions.
The tool is constantly improved. In 2014, Archroma added its portfolio of ZDHC MRSL-compliant chemicals and dyes to the ONE WAY sustainability calculation tool.
ONE WAY has received industry recognition with the 2013 ICIS Best Business Innovation Award. Thomas Winkler, President of Archroma’s Textile Specialties Business, comments: “Together with the newly joined former BASF textile chemicals business team, Archroma brings together a heritage of more than 120 years of enhancing colors, performance and sustainability for our customers, as well as brands, retailers and the consumers. At ITMA, visitors will be able to see for themselves that we further consolidate this heritage on our way to becoming the preferred supplier in our industries.”