Bioscouring and bleaching process of cotton fabrics - an opportunity of saving water and energy

Bio-processing was accompanied by a significant lower demand of energy, water, chemicals, time and costs. This study attempted to introduce the bio-processes in the conventional scouring and bleaching with peracetic acid (PAA) of the cotton fabrics. The scouring with two types of pectinases, acting under acidic and alkaline conditions, respectively, was as efficient as the chemical process in terms of obtained adequate water absorbency of the fabrics. Bleaching with PAA can substitute bleaching with hydrogen peroxide when medium degree of whiteness is demanded. The bioscouring and bleaching with PAA processes cause no damage to fibres and this is one of the benefits of such processes. Wastewaters are not charged with harmful chemicals. The consumption of water and energy is the lowest at combined scouring/bleaching treatments. Consequently, at these processes arises the lowest amount of effluents and the produced wastewater is biodegradable.