Textile finishing and coating

Textile wet processing

In order to add the required functional properties to textiles, it is customary to subject textile (yarn and/or fabric) to different types of physical and chemical treatments.
Textile wet processing is done on manufactured fabrics or yarns. The processing normally includes pretreatment (or preparation), colouration (dyeing or printing) and finishing. Finishing is the final step in the fabric or yarn manufacturing process and it gives special properties to textiles. Examples of such properties are colourfastness, pealing resistance, flame resistance, water & dirt repellence etc.
During the wet processing of textiles a lot of chemicals are used.

Coatings

Coatings are not impregnated into fabrics during the textile wet processing of fabrics. The coating process of textiles is applying one or more layers on fabric. They are applied after the final step in the wet fabric manufacturing process. Different coatings and finishes may be applied to textiles to add more than one property. Sportswear, for example, should be windproof and water resistant, this requires multiple steps in manufacturing.

Chemical risks

Chemicals present in textile products can be harmful. The textile industry has a historical reputation of using problematic chemicals in its products and processes. Although awareness has been raised in the textile industry, still formerly conventional used and nowadays banned textile processing chemicals may be used.

For the chemical risk assessment of materials this is essential information from your supply chain.