New York City-based materials consultancy Material ConneXion Inc. has named the Netherlands-based
DyeCoo Textile Systems BV winner of the third annual MEDIUM Award for Material of the Year for its
waterless dyeing technology. The MEDIUM award recognizes materials and processes juried into
Material ConneXion’s materials library within the past year that demonstrate outstanding
technological innovation and the potential to make a significant contribution to the advancement of
design, industry, society and the economy.
DyeCoo’s supercritical fluid carbon dioxide (CO2) technology uses recycled CO2 instead of
water, and eliminates the need for auxiliary chemicals and drying. Currently, the technology is
used to dye polyester fabrics, but DyeCoo is conducting research to extend the technology’s
application to other man-made-fiber and natural fabrics as well.
“DyeCoo’s new process has the potential to significantly lower the environmental impact of
dyeing,” said Dr. Andrew H. Dent, vice president, Materials Research, Material ConneXion. “The
elimination of process water and chemicals are a breakthrough for the textile dyeing industry.
Combine that with the reduction in energy use, and the process is twice as fast. The technology can
also improve the quality of the dyed fabric, allows for greater control over the dyeing process,
enabling new dye capabilities and transforming fabric dyeing so that it can take place just about
anywhere. We chose DyeCoo as the winner of this year’s award because it embodies the direction that
materials and processes are taking: sustainability and high performance.”
DyeCoo and Beaverton, Ore.-based athletic apparel, footwear and equipment designer and
marketer Nike Inc. recently entered into a strategic partnership. Nike is implementing DyeCoo’s
waterless dyeing technology in the production of a line of apparel for elite athletes that will be
introduced later this year. Nike’s long-term plans include scaling the implementation to include a
much larger segment of its products
(See “
Nike
To Use DyeCoo Waterless Dyeing Technology On Apparel Line,”
TextileWorld.com, Feb. 14, 2012).
May 29, 2012
