| Value-Added Australian
cotton blend products for the export market CSIRO Textile and Fibre Technology
is Australia's pre-eminent textile, fibre and leather research centre, with a
long history of innovation in textiles and leather. Textile News Online"
is a quarterly on line publication, giving readers an informative insight into
the Research and Development environment that is CSIRO Textile and Fibre Technology.
http://www.tft.csiro.au/textile_news/index.htm The
article below has been reproduced with permission from the CSIRO Textile and Fibre
Technology department. Value-Added Australian cotton blend
products for the export market New bleaching and dyeing techniques will
add value to Australian cotton blend products and are being applied to Colana
yarn, a unique blend that combines the comfort and easy care of Australian combed
cotton with the warmth and resilience of fine Merino wool. Dr Jacqui Cai
and Dr David King with Colana garment.
"Developed by Rocklea Spinning
Mills, Colana is supplied to many manufacturers for use in ladies’, men’s
and children’s outer and underwear, sheets, blankets, jeans, shirts, hosiery,
and even Olympic uniforms," says project leader, Dr Geoff Naylor. "In
general, Colana yarn is sold to fabric and garment manufacturers as an undyed
product. This gives them freedom to dye and finish the product in response to
the changing demands of fashion. However it also provides them with the challenge
of how to bleach and dye such different fibres." "This challenge
has now been met with the development of a new bleaching and dyeing process. We
identified an acceptable range of less harsh alkali pH and lower temperature ranges
that preserve the quality of these premium natural fibres to generate a brilliant
white fabric." Positive results from extensive laboratory tests and
an industrial trial in Hong Kong at the China Dye Company, indicate a successful
transfer of technology and open the door for the growth of Colana products into
major European and US retail markets. The new bleaching and dyeing technology
also saves energy, lowers labour costs and leads to better product quality and
reproducibility. "The development, led by Dr David King and Dr Jackie
Y. Cai from CTFT working with the Australian spinner Rocklea, is a marvellous
outcome of the close-knit collaborations facilitated by the Cotton CRC,"
says Geoff Naylor. "Following the successful conclusion to this project,
CTFT are now working with other Australian cotton processors to meet some of the
environmental challenges facing the industry. This will result in lower chemical
and energy use and enhance Australian cotton’s environmental image." Dr
Geoff Naylor source: 'CSIRO Textile and Fibre Technology'
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