Archroma Launches New Solution for Bio-Based Pigment Printing
Archroma is innovating printing with renewable raw materials and safer chemistry.
The specialty chemical company introduced this week NTR Printing System for commercial bio-based pigment printing. The result of more than two years of research and development, Archroma said it is first system to incorporate renewable feedstock across pigment dispersion, binder and fixing agent.
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NTR Printing System required Archroma to create customized binding and fixing agents to ensure fastness for the pigment black dispersion comparable to current petroleum-based printing systems. All three printing elements are partially based on renewable feedstock to reduce reliance on non-renewable petrochemicals.
According to the Swiss company, previous bio-based pigments have struggled to match the color fastness of synthetic options, and their color quality and production performance have not been adequate for commercial-scale production.
The new system comprises of Printofix Black NTR-TF, a non-gelling pigment black with 79 percent renewable carbon content; Helizarin NTR-SS, a formaldehyde-free super-soft binder with 40 percent renewable carbon content; and the Luprintol Fixing Agent NTR-HF, a formaldehyde-free fixing agent with 40 percent renewable carbon content.
Additionally, Archroma developed the new system to avoid toxic input streams and impurities, including formaldehyde. The company completed two successful bulk trials with Textprint S. A. and Jeanologia.
As bio-based pigments are attracting major interest from the market, NTR Printing System helps apparel and textile brands reduce their environmental footprint while producing brilliant black shades on garments that deliver both comfort and durability. The system ensures good wet-rubbing and dry-rubbing fastness and softness on all kinds of fabrics. Designed to be production efficient, it can apply to printing, coating and continuous pigment dyeing.
“These properties make the new NTR Printing System ideal for the highly competitive denim market, where sustainability, comfort and durability are important; for knits, where very soft handfeel is essential; and on babywear, where both exceptional softness and safety are required,” said Joaquin Femat, Archroma’s market segment director for printing.
All three elements in the NTR Printing System are currently being evaluated for compliance with globally accepted standards like Bluesign, the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC). The system also supports major industry restricted substances list (RSL) requirements.
“With the launch of the bio-based NTR Printing System, Archroma can now draw on the industry’s most complete portfolio of innovative printing solutions to tailor systems for individual customer needs,” Femat said. “We remain the global leader in pigment printing, with a history of innovation that includes the first formaldehyde-free pigment printing system, introduced in 2012.”
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