Commercial trials expected in 2023 for Australian-developed waterless dyeing process

Xefco is moving to the pilot manufacturing stage for a new waterless dyeing and finishing process, which it says could cut energy and water use by 86 per cent and 88 per cent respectively versus conventional wet processes.

The company’s Ausora solution is described as using a “plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition” method to apply dyes and coatings to textiles. It has been developed through collaborative projects with Deakin University and Proficiency Contracting, supported by the Innovative Manufacturing CRC.

“After successfully demonstrating the process, we are now scaling up to our roll to roll systems,” said Tom Hussey, CEO of Xefco.

“We are currently setting up a pilot manufacturing facility at Deakin University’s ManuFutures in Geelong, which will enable us to refine the technology and facilitate commercial trials for customers in the new year.”

Hussey said that the dyeing and finishing of textiles account for 20 per cent of water pollution and 3 per cent of carbon emissions globally.  

Ausora, which had previously been known as XSP, has been the subject of two IMCRC-backed projects. One was made public in November last year and an earlier three-year project was announced in 2019.

Dr Frank Chen, a Research Fellow at Deakin’s Institute for Frontier Materials and specialising in plasma, said that a shared goal allowed the team to develop solutions more quickly.

 “And as a result, we have developed a unique atmospheric plasma coating system that reduces the cost, complexity and environmental impact of textile manufacturing by eliminating wet dyeing and finishing processes.” said Chen.

The IMCRC’s Dr Matthew Young added that the project “demonstrates Australia’s enormous research capability and serves as an exemplar of how industry-led innovation is helping to solve some of our world’s most pressing challenges.”

Picture: supplied

Further reading

$3.4 MILLION PROJECT TO TAKE COATING TECHNOLOGY FROM UNIVERSITY LAB TO GLOBAL MARKET BY 2021

PLASMA POWER: THE AUSTRALIAN PROJECT AIMING TO DO BETTER THAN WET COATING FOR TEXTILES

XEFCO, PPK ANNOUNCE ANTIBACTERIAL FACEMASK JV