Cotton Incorporated, a US-based research and marketing firm to benefit every link on the cotton supply chain, has recently introduced a durable press technology, PUREPRESS. The technology utilizes available chemistries and is said to keep garments wrinkle and formaldehyde-free as well as claimed to work better than the conventional resins.
It’s worth noting here that cotton is a water absorber fibre and this characteristic leads to wrinkles when the fabric is dried as hydrogen bonds tend to get broken upon drying and start reforming in different configurations.
In the press release, Cotton Inc. mentioned that ever since wrinkle-resistance chemistry was introduced and used formaldehyde containing resins, this has been useful in holding hydrogen bonds and keeping fabric smooth. However, formaldehyde too provides exposure to carcinogen, according to some health organizations, thereby, a need was there to make cotton wrinkle free through other innovations.
Mary Ankeny, Vice President (Product Development and Implementation Operations), Cotton Incorporated, averred, “Our researchers are constantly looking for sustainable and innovative ways to increase the appeal of cotton to industry and consumers. PUREPRESS is a response to those manufacturers and brands that want an effective durable press finish without formaldehyde.”
Cotton Inc.’s PUREPRESS technology contains certain features such as it removes by-product effects of formaldehyde; improves tensile strength, tear strength and abrasion resistance of fabric; removes shade change and does not cause odour.
Further, as per the Cotton Incorporated Lifestyle Monitor’s survey, the end-consumers stamped on the need of PUREPRESS technology as 77 per cent of the American consumers agreed that natural fibres such as cotton are essential to make better quality garments. On the other hand, 56 per cent of the consumers were likely to pay more for garments with wrinkle-resistant properties.
“Traditional durable press resins incur strength losses which have not mixed well with lighter weight fabrics, but the PUREPRESS technology works incredibly well with these finer constructions,” concluded Ankeny.
