Printing & Dyeing

Digital printing technologies are using lesser quantities of ink compared to conventional methods. They are more environmentally friendly and versatile in changing design.

Centexbel invested in a valve-jet digital printer to be deployed in a broad range of developments, including digital printing, finishing, and dyeing.

The Chromojet is applied in our research projects on biodegradable packaging

One of the biggest hurdles in developing biodegradable packaging is the limited availability of biodegradable additives.

This is particularly problematic when non-biodegradable inks and dyes are applied on packaging films that are intended for biodegradation. 

The CurCol project developed novel biodegradable colorants based on "curcumin", a natural dye. Digital printing methods allow us to use energy-efficient printing methods.

Although screen printing is a commonly used technique to print decorative and functional patterns on textiles, Centexbel deploys the flatbed auto-magnetic screen printing technique to create smart textiles and other high-end products based on conductive inks or specialty formulations.

Characteristics of the flatbed auto-magnetic screenprinter

• maximum dimensions: 50 cm x 80 cm
• creating decorative prints and conductive printed tracks for smart textiles
• direct/indirect printing
• ink development for the creation of conductive, functional textiles
• encapsulation and integration of prints on textiles

A coloured textile is the result of a highly specific and accurate dyeing process. Textile dyeing consists of multiple - often energy and water consuming - steps. Due to the impact of certain dyes on the environment, textile dyeing requires a dedicated waste water management.

Inhouse Dyeing processes

• laboratory infrared type dyeing machine with 16 dye pots to test several different formulations in one run
• reel type dyeing machine (for textiles of 3m x 0.3m)
• accredited in-house testing of colour fastness to rubbing, washing, UV, perspiration, etc.