Rudolf shows silica-free Dryway powder auxiliaries
Bavaria-based chemicals supplier Rudolf’s Italian denim finishing facility, Hub 1922, is showcasing Dryway, its new range of silica-free powdered auxiliaries, at Munich’s Bluezone exhibition from January 24 to 25.
Engineered to variously aid abrasion, bleaching and softening under “almost dry” to dry conditions, each Dryway product relies on renewable raw materials “as much as possible”, commented research and development chemists Dr Christoph Hauser.
Significantly, a new abrasive auxiliary, Rucolase DWS, is intended to replace conventional stone-washing techniques, without the need for pumice or sand.
Its powdered formula is based on a proprietary bio-based technology called Rudolf Bio-Scrape, which harnesses biodegradable micro-abrasives from recycled waste cellulose and lignin, together with a “latest-generation” granular enzyme, to achieve a “heavily reinforced” salt-and-pepper abrasion on the surface of the fabric, at lower temperatures.
The effects of Rucolase DWS can be enhanced through use of a further two new powdered formulations, Rucorit DWB1 and Rucorit DWB2, which the company has designed to enable light-to-high-contrast bleaching on indigo-dyed denims in a “nearly-dry” environment. Both are free from halogens and heavy metals.
Another new product, Perrustol DWC, gives a vintage-like hand feel without any added water or the need for a separate softening stage, Rudolf says. During laundering, it is added to any tumble dryer in the form of a small, non-woven bag. On reaching melting temperature inside the machine, its active ingredient is released and settles on the denim to produce a “new, naturally glossy and premium appearance”, according to the team.
Rucolase DWS and Perrustol DWC will be progressively made available to all markets over the course of this year.
Jeans finished with silica-free Rucolase DWS powder. Credit: Rudolf Hub 1922.
