An eco textile triumph
REVOLUTIONARY machines made by UK pioneer Alchemie Technology, that clean up the textile industry’s polluting dye and treatment processes, are being unveiled internationally ahead of commercial rollout this year.
The Cambridge-based disrupter is spearheading a crucial transition with low energy, waterless solutions that tackle the fashion and furnishing sectors’ damaging environmental impact.
The wet methods traditionally used involve massive water consumption and high carbon emissions to apply the dyes and “finishes”, the chemicals that enhance sports and workwear by making them waterproof or antiodour and anti-bacterial.
After eight years of development, and backing from investors including global fashion brand H&M, Alchemie is presenting its breakthrough Endeavour and Novara machines to the world, with volume man- ufacturing to be carried out in-house.
Endeavour’s digital dyeing technology, which increases efficiency and output fivefold, cuts energy use by 85 per cent and water by 95 per cent while Novara focuses on the treatment element.
Demonstration showcases have begun, starting in the epicentre of textile manufacturing Taiwan, to be followed by Turkey, India, Bangladesh, and Portugal.
Alchemie’s smart Endeavour innovation centres on high performance jetting technology, where nozzles fire out the dyes in nano droplets, with infra-red light then fixing them. Novara is similarly powered, its applications precisely targeted to where it’s needed on just one side of the fabric.
The adaptable, efficient processes contrast with conventional practices that rely on high energy rinsing and mass immersion in chemical baths to get results, while generating vast amounts of toxic wastewater.
“The fashion industry is one of the planet’s most polluting, producing more carbon emissions than shipping and aviation combined. Dyeing is its most polluting part. But this is an industry that can reduce its carbon emissions at the greatest rate by changing the way it dyes,” declares Alchemie’s founder Dr Alan Hudd.
The former rocket scientist and ace inventor, who has more than 250 patents to his name, was previously a leader in inkjet printing innovation.
Manufacturers will need groups of Alchemie’s machines, which cost £1.5million each. After £12m investment, it now plans a further £10m
‘Endeavour’s technology cuts energy use by 85%’
raise this autumn and to double its 40-strong team.
Polyester’s resistance to dyeing has been one of the hardest problems to crack, but having done that Alchemie will launch a sustainable cotton solution next month.
The biggest challenge is to get the textile industry to change its ways.
“Only brands and manufacturers collaborating with government support can achieve that,” says Dr Hudd. “The UK has an opportunity to play a world-changing role.”