Zeis Textiles Extension (ZTE) at North Carolina State University’s Wilson College of Textiles recently announced a new working relationship with Baldwin Technology Co. utilizing its precision spray technology for chemical applications, TexCoat G4, in the dyeing and finishing lab.

The mutually beneficial relationship will enhance sustainability in the textile industry by reducing energy, water, chemicals and processing time with innovative spray technology, Wilson College said.

In addition to equipment partnerships such as this, companies within the textile industry can partner with ZTE to utilize the pilot lab for the opportunity to test new processes and products at an industry scale, exposing them to new technologies and possibilities without interrupting their manufacturing timelines. The labs within ZTE employ student workers and are available for use in their capstone and research projects.

“We are excited to be teaming up with Zeis Textiles Extension with our precision spray technology for textile finishing,” Rick Stanford, Baldwin Technology’s vice president of global business development for textiles, said. “NC State is recognized as a global leader in research and education for the textile industry. This opportunity exposes future textile leaders to the benefits of Baldwin spray technology in finishing and serves as a test site where brands, mills, chemical providers and others in the textile supply chain are lining up to experience Baldwin’s TexCoat performance and sustainability capabilities firsthand.”

Baldwin Technologies is a global equipment manufacturer for a number of industries. With over 100 years in innovation and 35 years of experience in spray valve technology for offset printing, Baldwin is advancing textile finishing by employing non-contact precision spray technology such as in the TexCoatG4 that allows for even application of a wide range of low-viscosity water-based chemicals to one or both sides of the fabric.

Compared to traditional pad applications, the system enhances productivity, efficiency and sustainability by reducing water use, drying time and energy up to 50 percent, recycling 100 percent of chemistry used, reducing downtime for changing or cleaning baths between fabrics, and reducing water and chemical waste.

This partnership promotes Baldwin Technology and keeps Wilson College at the cutting edge of advancements in the textile industry, allowing students and companies to gain access to this eco-friendly finishing equipment.

“We consider ourselves to be the industry arm of the college, bridging the research and innovation being done between industry and academia,” Andre West, director of ZTE, said. “Our partnerships with machine manufacturers, like this one with Baldwin Tech or our partnership with Sheima Seiki, for example, help serve as a vehicle to innovation.”

In addition, Archroma and Baldwin announced a new collaboration to optimize performance and resource saving in the finishing department. The two companies aim to support textile manufacturers in their development projects, targeting to improve their product safety, performance and functionality, while at the same time maximizing the productivity and resource utilization of the finishing application process.

Archroma and Baldwin are collaborating in multiple projects that combine Archroma’s most sustainable product innovations with Baldwin’s Texcoat G4.

Archroma and Baldwin are currently testing Archroma’s finishing products and systems, such as the soon-to-be-launched PFC-free Smartrepel Hydro SR for water-based soil repellence, as well as metal and inorganic particle-free antimicrobial technologies.

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Sourcing Journal is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2022 Sourcing Journal Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.