Sustainable dyeing of cellulosic material with indigo dye using rope dyeing method

Abstract

The exploration of sustainable and eco-friendly dyeing techniques has gained significant momentum in recent years, driven by the need to reduce environmental impact and energy consumption in the textile industry. One of the measures towards this effort is to develop methodologies that shred traditionally followed processes with the usage of chemicals of a hazardous nature and thermodynamically stimulated energy consumptions. Traditional indigo dyeing methods, despite being effective, often require high temperatures and potent reducing agents, leading to substantial energy usage and generating chemical waste. The methodological exploration here focuses on room-temperature dyeing of cotton fabrics with natural indigo dyes in a process involving Bacterial Lysate. By leveraging the natural reducing capabilities of bacterial lysate at room temperature as a catalyst, this study aims to develop a more sustainable dyeing process that operates efficiently at ambient temperatures and eliminates the usage of heating arrangements. The proposed method promises to enhance dye uptake and colour fastness and simplify the dyeing procedure, potentially revolutionizing the textile dyeing industry with a greener alternative. A comparison of the newly designed processing route at room temperature in this investigation with the presently followed traditional process at different yet elevated temperature ranges in the context of rope dyeing methods with padding mangle establishes its effectiveness for practical implementation in dyeing processes. This research provides a process that involves the reduction of indigo dyes by utilizing an alkali agent, a reducing agent, and a catalytic agent. The catalytic agent, a bacterial lysate, contributes significantly to the process's environmental viability, energy efficiency, and sustainability. Furthermore, it improves dye uptake and ensures comparable fastness properties.