Eco-materials in textile finishing

The textile finishing industry, which is the backbone of the fashion clothing sector, creates the highest volume of waste water compared with other stages in textile manufacturing. The expectations of modern consumers regarding the textile products they use have increased dramatically; consumers want textiles that suit their taste and are health-friendly. It is now very important for the textile industries to reconsider the technologies and chemicals used, so that they can satisfy environmental and consumer requirements. Enzymes, nature-based finishing agents, nanotechnology and disruptive technologies such as plasma finishing are gradually replacing conventional systems for finishing textile materials. Enzymes are used in textile finishing processes such as bio-stoning and are good alternatives to toxic chemicals because they are specific in action and can be broken down into simple by-products. Herbal textiles use plant extracts for finishing and are becoming popular. This chapter discusses eco-friendly finishing of textile materials using nanotechnology, plasma treatment, enzymes, biopolymers and other nature-based finishing agents. We also discuss worldwide environmental regulations and schemes for textile products and their production processes.