Sustainable Development Researchers Use Insect Crustaceans For Post Processing Of Cloth.

German researchers are studying the use of chitosan, an insect skin derived from chitin, to replace toxic chemicals in textile production.

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Interface Engineering Biotechnology Institute at Stuttgart have been studying the use of bio based products to replace harmful chemicals often used in textile processing.

Chitin is the main component of insect skin and shell, and is widely used in animal feed production, in which insects are used as sources of protein.

Dr Susanne Zibek, an industrial biotechnology research institute, explained: "for a long time, we have been committed to the development process of residual and waste materials recycling, so we have the necessary expertise."

First, researchers developed other elements from insect skin to separate chitin purification processes, such as proteins and minerals.

Because of its ability to form thin films, researchers believe that chitosan can be used as sizing agent.

This reduces the friction of looms and prevents weaving.

Rough or broken; after that, the sizing agent is washed or left again.

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The second possible application is in the finishing of textile fabrics with specific functional characteristics.

"For example, we hope to use functional amino groups to link hydrophobic molecules with chitosan, and when applied to textiles, waterproofing properties can be achieved."

Zibek supplements.

So far, environmentally harmful fluorocarbons are widely used for hydrophobic treatment of outdoor textiles.