Huntsman Textile Effects has introduced an innovative fluorescent to help textile mills achieve very high white shades on cellulosic fibres.

The new Uvitex BHA Liq. high-affinity stilbene whitener has unequalled acid stability and acid fastness, making it a unique complement to most finishing treatments, with no risk of greening-off and superior protection against phenolic yellowing during storage and shipment, the manufacturer reports.

Uvitex BHA Liq. has been designed to help mills meet brands’ high white standards for towels, knitted apparel, T-shirts, underwear and other articles made from cellulosic fabrics.

Challenges

Achieving the necessary whitening on these fabrics is particularly challenging when finishing effects, such as softening, bio-polishing and resin finishing, are required, the company reports.

Finishing processes are typically applied in the acid phase of the wet processing cycle, with a detrimental effect on most high-affinity stilbene brighteners. Rather than producing a bright white, this can cause fibres to take on a green tinge after neutralisation or acid pH setting.

Insufficient neutralisation due to limited acid fastness may also result in alkaline residues on the textile. This is said to increase the risk of post-production phenolic yellowing of the fabric, which can have a negative impact on the mill’s finances and reputation if it results in fabric or finished products being rejected.

Easy to handle

The company’s new product is designed to overcome these challenges with high acid stability of between pH 4 and pH 5 and acid fastness down to pH 4.

It is said to offer a neutral to slightly bluish white shade with great wash fastness and build-up. Greening-off is eliminated and the risk of phenolic yellowing is minimised, according to Huntsman.

This new whitening agent can be applied by exhaust processes and is suitable for discontinuous bleaching systems with hydrogen peroxide and for reductive bleaching. It is said to offer very high bath exhaustion and low wastewater pollution. Easy to handle, it can be used with automatic dispensing equipment.

Unique solution

Uvitex is a textile whitener for all substrates and application processes, offering a complete range of neutral and shaded whiteners and the ability to create local shaded versions and tailor-made white.

Like the other Uvitex products, Uvitex BHA Liq. is included on the Huntsman Positive List for ZDHC and can thus be used to produce textiles for companies that have signed the Towards Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Joint Roadmap.  

“Uvitex BHA Liq. represents a unique solution to the challenges of producing consistent and stable very high and brilliant white cellulosic fibres. Huntsman Textile Effects continues to listen to mills and to create innovate ways for them to improve their products and production efficiency, operate more sustainably and satisfy the demands of the world’s best brands and retailers,” said Lee Howarth, Global Marketing Manager of Huntsman Textile Effects.  

www.huntsman.com