Contactless Finishing of Denim Fabrics Saves Energy

Spraying instead of padding: In the traditional padding process, fabrics are impregnated with finishing liquor and squeezed out under high pressure. The residual moisture which remains on the textile needs to be dried. Especially with heavy denim fabrics, drying is an energy and cost intensive production step. You can save money and energy with sustainable, non-contact minimum application finishing.
Graphic of a WEKO spraying device
Spray application with the WEKO system allows finishing liquors to be applied without contact in a minimum application process.

Save Money and Energy in the Processing of Denim Fabrics by Spraying

In the conventional padding process, fabrics are impregnated with a finishing liquor and squeezed to a certain residual moisture. Afterwards, the moisture (water) needs to get removed from the textiles through an energy-intensive drying process. In cooperation with WEKO, the leading producer of non-contact minimum application systems, and Lilienweiß GmbH, a German service and finishing company for denim and garments, we have developed an energy efficient and gentle production process for the finishing of denim yard goods, with which you can save money.

By using the WEKO Fluid Application System (WFA) you can finish textiles with an exactly dosed, non-contact method, thus considerably reducing your production costs. Instead of a liquor pick-up of 60 to 100 % in the padding process, the WFA process applies only 15 to 30 % of liquor to the fabric. With this sustainable, ecological and economical process, you can save up to 60 % of textile auxiliaries and chemicals. Furthermore, you can reduce your energy costs for drying by up to 70 %.

The Advantages of the Sustainable WFA Process

The WEKO Fluid Application Process (WFA Process) offers the following advantages:

  • Optimization of the finishing process
  • Ensuring reproducible quality
  • Saving auxiliaries and chemicals
  • Reduction of energy expenses

Contact-Free Finishing of Textile Fabrics

The WEKO Fluid Application System (WFA system) is mounted in the finishing department at the infeed or outfeed of the stenter. With the exactly dosed minimum application, drying times are reduced and production speed can be significantly increased. Besides, there is no squeezing required on the padder. This eliminates additional mechanical stress to the fabric.

During finishing, the liquor comes in contact with the fabric. For this reason, the WEKO liquor does not need to be drained off. It can be reused without any problems for the next production batch. The results are conserved chemicals and textile auxiliaries, reduced costs and protection of the environment.

Our Product Recommendations for Indigo- or Sulphur-Dyed Finishing Denim Fabrics

We recommend the following textile auxiliaries for indigo fixation, finishing and coating, as well as tinting and over-dyeing denim yard goods with sustainable and gentle application via the WEKO Fluid Application System:

  • PERFIXAN F 5000
    Fixing agent for indigo and sulphur dyes
  • PERFIXAN PC 55 NEW
    Cross-linking system for easy-care finishing
  • PERIPRET PUS
    Polyurethane dispersion for full and elastic handle
  • PERIPRET LUSTER
    Finishing agent for soft, brilliant luster effects
  • PERICOAT AC 230
    Acrylate dispersion for impregnation of textiles
  • PERICOAT AC 230 plus PERICOLOR
    Auxiliaries for tinting and over-dyeing
Please Contact Us.
Sylvia Palikowski, Application technology

Of course, many other textile auxiliaries from our range are suitable for the WFA minimum application process on textiles and non-wovens. Our finishing specialists will be glad to assist you with further product and recipe suggestions. Send us an e-mail or contact us via our form.

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