Development of a digital printing process with sustainable inks for functional clothing
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | FOV Fabrics AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 2 990 832 |
| Project duration | October 2019 - March 2022 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Joint R&D projects for small and medium-sized enterprises in Sweden-Germany |
| Call | Joint R&D projects for small and medium-sized enterprises in Sweden-Germany - autumn 2018 |
Purpose and goal
To reduce the consumption of water, energy, and chemicals and minimize waste production in textile dyeing and finishing, the project presented digital printing technology as a straight replacement for water- and energy-intensive conventional textile processes. Findings established the compatibility of digital printing technology with both pattern printing to the industry standards while answering key questions on the compatibility of inks, piezoelectric print head, and workflow of digital printing.
Expected results and effects
Through a series of trials and analyses, the project developed and optimized pigment ink for the printing of uniform colors and patterns on polyester and polyamide fabrics with different weaving constructions. The key outcomes have successfully established digital textile printing as a truly ecologically, economically, and functionally acceptable alternative to the energy-intensive conventional textile processes.
Planned approach and implementation
The digital printing technology used in this project is based on high precision drop-on-demand mechanism which allowed the print head to deposit as developed pigment ink at the desired location which saved raw materials and reduced the handling of waste chemicals after production. The finding of the project set the much-needed benchmark for the implementation of sustainable technologies in textile production.