Wool Dyeing and Finishing
topic
Wool dyeing: primarily acid dyes (anionic dyes binding to amino groups via salt linkages and hydrogen bonds at pH 2-6, 80-100°C for 30-60 min, excellent color range and fastness), reactive dyes (covalent bonding for superior wash fastness), and metal complex dyes (chrome dyes for exceptional lightfastness but environmental concerns). Finishing treatments: chlorination-Hercosett (scales removed/masked preventing felting for machine washability), plasma treatment (scale modification, shrink resistance), enzyme treatment (Kroy, controlled protease digestion of scales), Easy Care (resin application for wrinkle resistance), and flame retardant treatments (Zirpro—zirconium complex).
Role
Anti-felting treatments (chlorination, enzyme, plasma) enable machine-washable wool products expanding market from dry-clean-only to easy-care segment, though environmental concerns over chlorinated effluents drive adoption of enzyme and plasma technologies achieving equal shrink resistance with 80-90% reduced environmental impact.