Smart Chemistry for Next-Gen Biodegradable Polyester

With their cooperation, CHT and OceanSafe would like to promote more sustainability in the textile industry. Thus, companies are assisted in meeting their sustainability objectives and positive change is driven by providing innovative solutions for dyeing and finishing of textiles made from biodegradable polyester.

COOLDYE by CHT is designed for lower temperature dyeing of all types of PES fibers (virgin, recycled, and biodegradable). The application of CHT’s COOLDYE dyeing process to the next-gen biodegradable polyester, naNea by OceanSafe, can efficiently help reduce the dyeing temperature, leading to savings in energy and time. The dyeing process of naNea is carried out at 110 °C, which is comparatively 20 °C lower than that of standard PES.

The COOLDYE system combines the soy-based leveling agent SARABID TS 300 and the sugar-based reducing agent REDULIT GIN to ensure a sustainable dyeing process. Both dyeing auxiliaries are biodegradable and meet the highest level of ecological requirements. The COOLDYE system is complemented by CHT’s BEMACRON HP-LTD disperse dyes that specifically enable the low-temperature dyeing process, which saves energy and time.

ECOPERL 4 is applied on naNea for achieving a hydrophobic finish effect. ECOPERL 4 is a fluorine-free finishing agent that provides excellent water repellency and very good wash durability. It is a biobased and biodegradable product based on special functionalized polymers and waxes.

naNea by OceanSafe is the next-gen biodegradable polyester and serves as a replacement for conventional PES. Unlike conventional polyester, naNea is biodegradable in the marine environment by over 93 % after 99 days. naNea does not contain toxicants and is proven to be not eco-toxic.

naNea fibers and yarns match the performance of conventional polyester, making them an ideal choice for products where resilience and durability are paramount. Transitioning to this novel material in manufacturing processes is easy. naNea is market-ready and scalable today. naNea is the world’s first and only synthetic textile material with Cradle to Cradle® Certified at Gold level.

By utilizing CHT’s biobased auxiliaries for dyeing and finishing of biodegradable PES such as the naNea fiber, a compatible and responsible approach is ensured. In addition, the final product made from naNea materials and CHT chemistry can be compliant with the Cradle to Cradle® Certification. 

Enhance your products with the best solutions and help make textiles more sustainable and ecological, together with CHT and OceanSafe.
 

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About the CHT Group

The CHT Group, a medium-sized global player for speciality chemistry, is worldwide active in development, production and sales. CHT Germany GmbH in Tübingen is the headquarters of the group of companies which focuses on sustainable chemical products and process solutions. TEXTILE SOLUTIONS of CHT improve the quality, functionality as well as look and purity of textiles and optimise their manufacturing processes. In the fields of silicones, building materials, paints, coatings, paper, agrochemicals as well as cleaning and care products innovative products and process solutions are provided by INDUSTRY SOLUTIONS. By bundling the strengths of the complete group further innovative products, applications or processes are permanently developed and vast technical support is offered within the SCIENCE & SERVICE SOLUTIONS. Highly qualified specialists work in state-of-the art laboratories for development, analytics and application technique in order to work out ideas and solutions that meet the latest requirements.

The CHT Group with its own production and sales locations is represented by more than 28 companies worldwide. In the financial year 2023, the CHT Group generated a group turnover of 601 million Euro with around 2,500 employees.