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Oct 15, 2024

Archroma’s breakthrough in bio-based textile printing - Indian Printer & Publisher

NTR Printing System combines bio-based with partially renewable materials A press release datelined 14 October 2024, Pratteln, Switzerland – announces Archroma’s NTR Printing System to make bio-based

NTR Printing System combines bio-based with partially renewable materials

A press release datelined 14 October 2024, Pratteln, Switzerland – announces Archroma’s NTR Printing System to make bio-based pigment printing commercially possible for the first time. Based on renewable raw materials* and designed for safer chemistry, it helps apparel and textile brands reduce their environmental footprint while producing brilliant black shades on garments that deliver both comfort and durability.

Bio-based pigment printing is an emerging technology that is attracting major interest from brands that want to use pigments derived from natural sources, such as plants, in the production of environmentally conscious textiles. Until now, however, bio-based pigments have not delivered color fastness that is comparable to synthetic pigments, and color quality and production performance have not been sufficient to support commercial-scale production.

Archroma’s NTR Printing System is the first to utilize renewable feedstock* across pigment dispersion, binder and fixing agent. Crucially, it ensures good wet-rubbing and dry-rubbing fastness, with outstanding softness on all kinds of fabrics. Furthermore, it is suitable for most popular application technologies, including printing, coating and continuous pigment dyeing, with outstanding runnability for production efficiency.

“These properties make the new NTR Printing System ideal for the highly competitive denim market, where sustainability, comfort and durability are important; for knits, where very soft handfeel is essential; and on babywear, where both exceptional softness and safety are required,” Joaquin Femat, Market Segment director for Printing, Archroma, said.

“This latest breakthrough is another example of innovation under Archroma’s ‘Planet Conscious+’ roadmap. We develop revolutionary products, systems, and technologies with increased sustainability features than available market alternatives and enhanced value so that brands and mills can differentiate themselves with solutions that meet their business goals and sustainability targets,” he continued.

The result of more than two years of research and development, the innovative NTR Printing System required Archroma to create customized binding and fixing agents to ensure fastness for the pigment black dispersion comparable to current petroleum-based printing systems. All three printing elements are partially based on renewable feedstock to reduce reliance on non-renewable petrochemicals. Archroma also developed the new system to avoid toxic input streams and impurities, including formaldehyde. Two successful bulk trials were conducted with Textprint SA and Jeanologia.

The NTR printing system comprises the following highly efficient and robust printing elements:

• Printofix Black NTR-TF – a non-gelling pigment black with 79% renewable carbon content*, designed for use in textile applications with no impact on fastness levels.

• Helizarin NTR-SS – a formaldehyde-free super-soft binder with 40% renewable carbon content**, designed to ensure very good overall fastness levels.

• Luprintol fixing agent NTR-HF – a formaldehyde-free fixing agent with 40% renewable carbon content**, designed for high wet fastness in rubbing and laundry.

All three elements are currently being evaluated for compliance with globally accepted standards like bluesign, the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC). The system also supports major industry restricted substances list (RSL) requirements.

“With the launch of the bio-based NTR Printing System, Archroma can now draw on the industry’s most complete portfolio of innovative printing solutions to tailor systems for individual customer needs,” Femat said. “We remain the global leader in pigment printing, with a history of innovation that includes the first formaldehyde-free pigment printing system, introduced in 2012.”

* The NTR printing system utilizes partially renewable raw materials. ** Based on ASTM D6866 bio-based product testing using radiocarbon analysis.

Just past the middle of 2024, we can see that the Indian economy is resilient but the trajectory of the growth is still uneven. Consumption is erratic but in our industry while newspapers are still down, the book publishing and printing industry are building up capacities.

Indian Printer and Publisher founded in 1979 the oldest B2B trade publication in the multi-platform and multi-channel IPPGroup, created the category of privately owned B2B print magazines in the country. And by its diversification in packaging, (Packaging South Asia), food processing and packaging (IndiFoodBev) and health and medical supply chain and packaging (HealthTekPak) and its community activities in training, research, and conferences [Ipp Services, Training and Research www.ippstar.org] the organization continues to create platforms for quality information, data, technology insights and events.

India is a large and tough terrain and while its book publishing and commercial printing industry have recovered and are increasingly embracing digital print, the Indian newspaper industry needs to recover its credibility and readership. The signage industry is slowly recovering and shifting to digital billboards. New technologies such as digital 3D additive printing, digital textiles, and industrial printing are coming onto our pages. Trade media will have to adapt with agility to keep up with new business and technical information needs.

India is one of the fastest growing economies in nominal and real terms – in a region poised for the highest change in year to year expenditure in printing equipment and consumables. Our 2025 media kit is getting ready, and it is the right time to recalibrate your role in this dynamic market – to emphasize your visibility and relevance to existing customers and turn potential markets into conversations.

Naresh Khanna – 11 September 2024