Case story database

Search for Successfully Implemented Alternatives

You can use the free text search function to find information in the case story database. Most suitable are: substance name and other substance identifier (EC- and CAS-number). You can refine your search after first entry for sector-, function- and process-categories. The case studies are meant to serve as source of inspiration and ideas for substitution. The alternatives are constantly being developed further. We therefore recommend that you to check in each individual case whether an alternative is suitable for your applications and purposes. If you are aware of any other relevant information that is not mentioned in the current case story, please contact SUBSPORTplus.

In order to utilize information in the best way, please take note of the SUBSPORTplus methodology on case stories!

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A new water repellent surface treatment which contain no fluorocarbons or isocyanates, to be used on textiles and other fibre-based materials.

Fluorocarbon and isocyanate containing mixtures have been used for many years as water repellent surface treatments of textiles and of other fibre-based materials. Today it is clear that many fluorocarbons (e.g. PFOA) degrade extremely slowly in nature and cause hormone disruption among many aquatic animals, whereas many isocyanates are toxics to humans. OC-aquasil™ presents an alternative surface treatment for applications where a high degree of repellence towards water and water-based soil is required, but without fluorocarbons or isocyanates.

An alternative to PFC in breathable membranes for textiles.

Arnitel® VT, produced by DSM, is a commercial product specifically designed to have a very high breathability which makes it an alternative to PFC based breathable membranes used in textile applications. Arnitel VT is a thermo plastic co-polyester; halogen and plasticizer free, free of fluor or fluor based components and 100% recyclable. Due to its nature, Arnitel VT also has a carbon footprint which is significantly lower than fluor (PFC) based products.

Flame retarding products free of Deca-BDE used at theatre

Deca-BDE is often used as a flame retardant. For textiles a flame retarding agent based on citric acid can be used.

Substitution of toluene, benzene and cyclohexane in the treatment of leather for footwear manufacture

In this experience two solvents were used for the tanning of leather for shoe manufacturing. Substitution was carried out because several workers were affected by a series of health problems which included vomiting, dizziness and headaches. The most alarming symptoms were epileptic seizures suffered by two workers after 10 hours of continuous work with solvents in a tanning process. The hazardous products were substituted by a solvent whose only harmful component is acetone. The company also decided to order pre-tanned leather to reduce the use of chemical products.

A biodegradable, protein-based biopolymer to replace acrylic resins and their additives in textile printing

This case story describes an alternative to acrylic resins used in textile printing. The use of acrylic resins is problematic since these are sensitisers and also since they require the use of additional additives that may also be problematic, such as alkyl phenols, phthalates and organotins. Grafco Srl has developed an alternative polymer based on milk-protein that could replace the acrylic resins along with the required additives.

An alternative to APEO to reduce yellowing in polyamide, polyester and their blends with elastane fibres during heat-setting.

This case story describes the substitution of alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEO) in the textile industry. The company performed an investigation of possibilities to substitute APEO for reducing yellowing in polyamide, polyester and their blends with elastane fibres during heat-setting. They identified and implemented fatty alcohol polyglycol ether as a suitable alternative.

Substitution of decroline with sodium dithionite or borohydride in textile industry

Decroline is a chemical compound used in textile industry in applications that require a reducing agent (bleach agents, reduction stage in vat-dying process, rongeant print and others). The main hazard issue associated with the use of the substance is that when it is used as a reducing agent, formaldehyde is formed. This case story describes the substitution process of a company to find safer alternatives to decroline for textile industry. This process identified sodium dithionite as a feasible alternative, and sodium borohydrate as a promising candidate .

A new fluorine-free (PFC-free) water-repellent for textiles

A large number of commonly used water repellent surface treatments for textiles are based on perfluorinated organic compounds (PFC). It has been shown that several perfluorinated compounds (e.g. PFOA and PFOS) are persistent, bioaccumulative and pose a severe risk to human health and the environment. A fluorine-free water repellent alternative was the choice of a well-known company that used it for its ecologically advanced collection.

Replacement of nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEO) compounds in textile production processes by alkyl ether ethoxylates (AEO) compounds

Textile production could involve the use of nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEO) compounds for its surfactant properties. Because of the conceivable aquatic toxic and endocrine disrupting effects of NPEO, a more environmentally benign alternative, alkyl ether ethoxylates (AEO) compounds, is adopted to conduct the degumming process. The shift from NPEO to AEO, while giving intended cleaning effect, was demonstrated to result in only a slight change in process and no perceivable impact to product quality.

An alternative to PVC and phthalates in high density plastisol prints.

PVC and phthalates have been extensively used for plastisol prints in textile applications. This case story describes the substitution of PVC and phthalates by silicon prints.

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