A reagent capable of removing colour left in the waste water
used in the textile industry is an improvement, but choosing quality dyes would
lead to less pollution alltogether.
The European fashion industry is a huge consumer of fresh
water. Estimates point to 600 million cubic meter of fresh water being consumed
yearly in Europe by the textile and clothing industry; not a negligible amount.
To reduce the water consumption and the coloured mass effluent, researchers have
developed a flocculating agent. Called TEXAFLOK DCL 41, it is able to separate
and remove the dyes from the water. It is a highly viscous liquid, which works
by reacting with dyestuffs and forming precipitates, leaving a small volume of
sludge. This sludge can be then destroyed in the waste waters treatment plants.