New dyeing technology developed

Three professors from the University of Leeds, Leeds, U.K., have developed a unique dyeing process that creates colored polymers inside textile fibers via a catalyst, and have formed a new company, DyeCat Ltd., to market the technology. “Simple colorless molecules, some derived from natural starting materials, are linked together by a novel catalyst,” says Dr. Richard Blackburn, one of the principals. “The color develops as the polymer chains grow.” The process proved successful in producing wash-fast color in wool fibers, and DyeCat has begun working with cellulosic fibers. The catalysts used in the DyeCat process have less environmental impact and the process works cold, saving energy. Commercial applications are under development. For information, visit www.dyecat.com.