EU - Biosynthex - BIOSYNTEX - Biotechnical Quality Improvement of Synthetic Textile Fibres

The modification of synthetic fibres in order to obtain the desired end-product properties requires high amounts of energy and chemicals, which are partially discharged to the environment and are released from the end-products causing serious health risks. BIOSYNTEX will develop new enzyme systems for the targeted modification of polyester (PET), polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and polyamide (PA/Ar) fibres. The obtained quality improving functionalities on the fibre surface will be characterised in detail. Eco-efficient finishing processes using the enzymatically modified fibres will be investigated in laboratory sale and larger scale using typical machinery. Savings of up to 30% dye, 55% energy and 20% water during dyeing of textiles (clothing) and 45% coupling agents during coating of PET (for tarpaulins) and 30% of binders during the production of awning fabrics (from PAN) can be expected based on the new fibre functionalities.