According to Südwolle, Naturetexx Plasma is an environmentally sustainable alternative to the current industry standard Superwash, chlorine-hercosett process.  In 2014, Südwolle Group purchased the Richter F+A dye house and treatment facility in Stadtallendorf, Germany, which possesses the technology, and has since refined the process for producing the plasma treated yarns.

'We are now investing significant resources to speed production capacity. Once modifications are complete, we will be able to process up to 1.5 million kilos per annum on a dedicated production line.  With this scale will come the consistency and efficiency which will make this technology a real commercial alternative," says Hamish Allan, Marketing Manager at Südwolle Group.

"Naturetexx Plasma treatment is a really exciting development for us. The process uses electricity and air, is a huge environmental leap forward, and sets a new standard for wool processing. We call it the 'Tesla' of wool treatments.  In addition to washability, Naturetexx Plasma delivers fibres with the same strength, the same or better pilling performance, and improved ability to absorb moisture than conventionally processed yarns," says Mr Allan.

Plasma is created by controlled discharge of an electric voltage across a non-conducting gas. The voltage ionizes the gas into a more reactive fundamental state.  When the wool top passes through the plasma field, the surface of the fibre reacts with the energized gas, modifying the cuticle scales and removing the wool felting effect.  This process has been certified organic under the GOTS and IVN Best systems and is currently undergoing the bluesign certification.

The Naturetexx Plasma treatment has earned, from 329 applicants, the highly regarded Outdoor Industry Gold Award 2015 in the category of 'Sustainable Innovators'.  Südwolle will showcase the benefits of Naturetexx Plasma at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Salt Lake City, August 5-8. 

The Südwolle Group is a well-established family owned business. It produces dyed and undyed worsted spun yarn for weaving, circular and flat knitting from pure wool and wool blends. The company owns six principal brands: Südwolle, Biella Yarn, Yarn in Motion, Richter, Stöhr, and Soey each focused on different segments of the global textile market. Located in the Nürnberg metropolitan area of Germany, it employs 2400 people globally with production facilities in Germany, Poland, Romania, and China.

www.suedwollegroup.de