Industrial Water Footprint: Case Study on Textile Industries
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bath consisting of numerous amounts of colored impurities and organic salt content
is released out. Nearly 30% of dye concentration does not get fixed to the surface of
the fabric, thereby contributing to the contamination of water. This also leads to an
increase in the water quality parameters and this is an indication of water pollution
when it’s released into the environment as the same. The amount of water used in
the dyeing depends on the type of dye used and mainly the machinery employed
to accomplish the process. Some of the major types of machinery used for dyeing
fabrics in the industry include jet, jigger, pad, beam, and solvent dyeing machines.
Each method has its advantages and disadvantages and its use in the industry depends
on the factors similar to those listed for the dye selection.
10.7 Printing
This process is employed to produce selective coloration of fabric materials
consisting of different designs. Unlike dyeing, printing involves the usage of dyes
in semi-solid form like that of a paste to avoid smudging of color out of its range.
It is also referred by the term localized dyeing. Though the number of colorants
used might be less, it produces a similar proportion of BOD contamination in the
wastewater compared to dyeing. After the coloration, the fabric material is washed
to remove the excess freely.
10.8 Finishing
This operation uses a wide range of mechanical, chemical, and enzymatic methods
used for the finishing of fabrics. The finishing operation is performed for improving
the physical appearance, softening, and waterproofing of the fabric. Also, the fabrics
are disinfected by adding disinfectants named biocides to mitigate the microbial
growth. Most of these finishing stages pollute the water as they utilize hazardous
chemicals such as formaldehyde. However, due to the excellent activity of formaldehyde towards improvising the quality of fabrics in producing stiffness, smoothness, and dimensional stability [6]. So, the search for an alternate, instead of using
formaldehyde, is still going on.
11 Water Footprint Network of Textile Industry
Cotton and cotton textile industries are central to the economic growth of both developed and developing countries. Almost 50% of the textile industry depends upon
the cotton raw material for survival. Though various artificial fiber such as nylon,
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bath consisting of numerous amounts of colored impurities and organic salt content
is released out. Nearly 30% of dye concentration does not get fixed to the surface of
the fabric, thereby contributing to the contamination of water. This also leads to an
increase in the water quality parameters and this is an indication of water pollution
when it’s released into the environment as the same. The amount of water used in
the dyeing depends on the type of dye used and mainly the machinery employed
to accomplish the process. Some of the major types of machinery used for dyeing
fabrics in the industry include jet, jigger, pad, beam, and solvent dyeing machines.
Each method has its advantages and disadvantages and its use in the industry depends
on the factors similar to those listed for the dye selection.
10.7 Printing
This process is employed to produce selective coloration of fabric materials
consisting of different designs. Unlike dyeing, printing involves the usage of dyes
in semi-solid form like that of a paste to avoid smudging of color out of its range.
It is also referred by the term localized dyeing. Though the number of colorants
used might be less, it produces a similar proportion of BOD contamination in the
wastewater compared to dyeing. After the coloration, the fabric material is washed
to remove the excess freely.
10.8 Finishing
This operation uses a wide range of mechanical, chemical, and enzymatic methods
used for the finishing of fabrics. The finishing operation is performed for improving
the physical appearance, softening, and waterproofing of the fabric. Also, the fabrics
are disinfected by adding disinfectants named biocides to mitigate the microbial
growth. Most of these finishing stages pollute the water as they utilize hazardous
chemicals such as formaldehyde. However, due to the excellent activity of formaldehyde towards improvising the quality of fabrics in producing stiffness, smoothness, and dimensional stability [6]. So, the search for an alternate, instead of using
formaldehyde, is still going on.
11 Water Footprint Network of Textile Industry
Cotton and cotton textile industries are central to the economic growth of both developed and developing countries. Almost 50% of the textile industry depends upon
the cotton raw material for survival. Though various artificial fiber such as nylon,