The effectiveness of Clariant’s new One Way sustainability calculation system has been confirmed in physical tests carried out by leading machine builder Fong’s.

The test results verified the accuracy of the calculations and measurements obtained from Clariant’s One Way Calculator, a sophisticated software tool that helps textile brands, retailers and manufacturers assess the cost, performance and environmental profile of evaluated products almost instantly.

“The One Way system is designed to help our customers balance the twin objectives of ecology and economy and enables them to see that more sustainable and efficient solutions do not have to come at a higher cost,” explained Emrah Esder, Clariant’s Head of Product Marketing, Textile Chemicals.

Unique sustainability service

Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, developed its One Way sustainability service to provide textile brands, retailers and manufacturers with a fast and reliable method of selecting the most appropriate chemicals and process routes for their requirements. The close consideration of key parameters, including raw materials and water and energy consumption, aims at achieving both economic and ecological benefits.

The database of Clariant’s One Way system contains more than 200 dyes and chemicals that have been carefully screened and pre-tested by the company’s product stewardship specialists against more than 15 eco-standards and other criteria. These include bluesign 1, Oeko-Tex 2, GOTS, the 11 restricted substance groups classified under the Joint Roadmap Towards Zero Discharge initiative, 20 of the major brand RSLs (restructured substances lists) and other factors such as bioelimination.

Suitable products are first identified and shortlisted and individual cost, performance and environmental profiles subsequently calculated using the One Way Calculator.

Accurate

Fong’s suggested carrying out trials of the latest low temperature pretreatment processes for fabric dyeing, including Clariant’s own solution called Blue Magic, on its latest high energy, low consumption Jumbotec dyeing machine.

The bleaching pretreatment of fabrics prior to dyeing is an essential step in removing impurities and increasing both whiteness and hydrophilicity, allowing the dye to penetrate more deeply into the fibres so that the colours are more vivid.

The test data very closely matched the initial Clariant calculations using the new One Way Calculator. The tool allows for the evaluation of the environmental profile of given production processes, using relevant parameters such as dyes and chemicals, water, energy or time; differentiated by country, based on actual measurements of chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), CO2 emissions, energy consumption and water usage.

“The One Way system helps mills and brand owners to develop innovative textile solutions that are both more ecologically and economically sustainable,” said Esder. “Both industry and consumers continue to push for less complex, more cost-efficient and sustainable manufacturing processes, and defending and supporting the toughest eco standards is our aim with One Way.”

www.clariant.com