Duratex
The Interreg France-Wallonie-Vlaanderen project “Duratex” aims to develop a dirt repellent and antimicrobial textile for durable applications in construction and architecture. The developed methodologies will respond to the requirements of the textile industry (cost, production speed, complex functionalities). Moreover, they will be ecological and applicable by means of the existing machinery.
The project will take into account the future European regulations banning the use of fluorocarbons (in particular C8) and certain biocides involving environmental risks (regulation 528/2012) such as (nano) silver.
Three approaches to confer water and oil repellency to textiles will be examined:
- deposition of nanofibres through the LbL (Layer-by-Layer) technology followed by a chemical modification based on branched hydrocarbons
- sol-gel hybrid layers
- deposition of layers by means of a local solution reprecitation based on green solvents.
Biobased or non-toxic biocides will also be incorporated into coatings or yarns to obtain antibacterial properties.
Project partners:
- Centexbel (coordinator)
- Certech
- Ceti
- Ensait
- UCL (Université Catholique de Louvain)
UCL and Certech are experts in LbL and sol-gel technologies and in the synthesis of nanofibres. ENSAIT and Centexbel are experienced in eco-friendly repelling and antimicrobial products and ENSAIT, CETI and Centexbel have the expertise in textile process. The collaboration is necessary to successfully implement these technologies in order to create antimicrobial, water and oil repellent textiles.
Project results
Ecofriendly antimicrobial textiles using bio-based metal-free additives from animal, vegetal of marine origins, and ecofriendly hydrophobic and oleophobic textile finishes
Duratex: ecofriendly antimicrobial textiles
© 2021, Duratex consortium
David De Smet, Centexbel
Duratex: ecofriendly hydro/oleophobic textiles
© Duratex consortium, 2021
David De Smet, Centexbel
