ABSTRACT
The contribution of the textile industry to the Indian economy is notable, but it has been identified as a major polluting industry. The textile wet-processing sector is highly water and chemical intensive. Some of the major aims of the textile-processing industry are to minimize the pollution of water and atmosphere during production below specified limits, to reduce the usage of harmful chemicals, and to reuse the wastewater discharge to the possible extent after treatment. Any fabric that has to be converted to the final product has to undergo certain basic processing before it is to remain white/dyed or finished. These basic treatments given to fabric to make it ready for dyeing or finishing are termed as pretreatment processes. It has been reported that the pretreatment of fabrics, whether knitted or woven, is a major contributor to pollution. Product technologies or manufacturing processes that reduce pollution or waste, energy, or material use in comparison to the technologies they replace are termed as clean technologies. One such technology that serves to reduce pollution and brings about good results is the use of enzymes in pretreatment of lycra/cotton weft-knitted fabrics. This study, which deals with the chemical and enzymatic pretreatment of lycra/cotton knits, reveals that the properties of enzyme pretreated cotton weft knits 204were equal to or better than those pretreated with chemicals. The bioprocess shows a reduction in the effluent pollution load coupled with savings in water, energy, and dye consumption. The biopretreated fabrics were ideal for further processing. Bioprocessing, a sustainable tool, is an important means of safe guarding the environment while leading to new possibilities in the production of quality textiles.
