Biopolymers in the Textile Industry

Biopolymers are polymers obtained from some living organisms; therefore, they are recyclable and biocompatible; moreover, they have a variety of efficient groups permitting the resistor of the boundary through nanofillers and the multistate assembly. They discover usage in various manufacturing reaching from nutrition engineering to manufacturing, packing and biomedical industry. Biopolymers are capable materials due to their appearances, comparable profusion, biocompatibility and sole properties alike non-toxicity etc. have been used during many textile industrialized processes. They have been used as necessary agents, i.e., chitosan and smoothing representatives, i.e., fiber ethers, to permute the coloring process, which results in quickness and an extra uniform shade in the completed textiles. Biopolymers are actual much compulsory in the future as they are an illumination to lime and sustainable environment. They are biodegradable, renewable and their building produces less glasshouse air. This work will focus on a brief overview of biopolymers and their actual role in the fabric industry.

Biopolymers are created from renewable resources, and those can provide environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional synthetic polymers. Biopolymers have always been the main source in textile industries, including cellulosic and protein fibres used as raw materials for textile products. But in recent years, the textile industry has become increasingly interested in biopolymers for other applications also because of their biodegradability, low carbon footprint, and compatibility with natural fibres. In textile applications, biopolymers such as chitosan, polysaccharides, and proteins have demonstrated good qualities, including high water absorption capacity and great dyeability. The antibacterial and antifungal attributes of chitosan, which is derived from chitin, make it suitable for use in medical textiles. Biopolymers, like different polysaccharides, have demonstrated promising results in the dying, printing, finishing, medical textiles, and packaging industries. Biopolymer performance in textile applications depends on several variables, including processing conditions, blend ratios, and finishing treatments. Adjusting the proportions of natural fibres and synthetic polymers can also improve the final product's qualities. This chapter will examine the characteristics and performance of these biopolymers used in textile applications. It will discuss the origins, characteristics, and applications of biopolymers in the textile sector.

To move towards green products is the demand raising globally in all fields of life day by day. Particularly in the area of textile industry, eco-friendly products are either used as starting material or as finishing agents now a days. In textile, the role of biopolymers such as wheat starch, Arabic gum, chitosan, soybean, etc., are being used to enhance the performance properties of textiles. These biopolymers are either extracted from natural resources or synthesized using eco-friendly materials are used to make such products which are employed for different purposes such as in this chapter, will discuss its characteristics, synthesis or extraction, and application of each biopolymer and their performance for various fields such as textile, medical, sports, food and flavors, cosmetics, etc., will be explained. It is expected the main objective of this chapter will be helpful for students, researchers, and industrialists who want to introduce biopolymers for improving their product quality. It can possess inherent moisture management capabilities and enhance wearer comfort. Biopolymers can be processed into fibers, films, and coatings, providing versatility in textile design.

This chapter explores the role of biopolymers in enhancing textile dyeing, printing, and functional finishes. Biopolymers, derived from renewable sources, offer a sustainable alternative to conventional synthetic chemicals in the textile industry. They improve dye uptake, colour fastness, and print quality, enhancing textile performance. Biopolymers serve as natural dye carriers, promoting eco-friendly dyeing practices and reducing reliance on synthetic dyes. Additionally, biopolymer-based thickeners and binders enable precise and vibrant textile printing while supporting environmental sustainability. The development of biopolymer coatings for antimicrobial and UV-protection finishes enhances textile functionality. Comprehensive performance and sustainability assessments guide responsible manufacturing practices, ensuring environmentally conscious and socially responsible textile production. As the industry embraces biopolymers, future research is expected to advance their engineering and applications, contributing to a greener and more sustainable textile sector.

Graphical Abstract: Potential of biopolymers in textile dyeing and printing industries.

Although they represent a niche field, aromatherapeutic textile materials are increasingly used lately. These are obtained by applying different bioactive systems that include essential oils, on different textile supports. The purpose of using essential oils consists of obtaining functional textile materials with therapeutic and well-being effects. Biopolymers are quite often used in the production of aromatherapeutic textiles because of the distinct characteristics they present, including biocompatibility and biodegradability. In addition to these properties, biopolymers are also used for the embedding of essential oils and their prolonged release and to give the textile support a more pleasant texture. In this book chapter, essential oils and their application in the textile industry, various types of biopolymers used to obtain aromatherapeutic textiles, their properties and the kinetic models of the release of essential oils from polymer systems, and the application of polymer systems on the textile supports have been checked.

Biopolymers are made from natural proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. These materials have become increasingly popular in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, offering several advantages over synthetic materials. Additionally, biopolymers have been used in various fields, including biomedicine, due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low toxicity. Textile-based scaffolds are a biomaterial used in tissue engineering to support the growth and regeneration of damaged cells and tissues. These scaffolds typically comprise fibres or threads, which can be woven or knitted into various configurations, such as gauzes, meshes, tubes, or sheets. Moreover, textile-based wound dressings are one of the most common forms, and biopolymers have been incorporated into these dressings to improve their property. Biopolymers such as chitosan, alginate, gelatin, collagen, silk fibroin, yarns, and sutures have been successfully used in fabrications of textile-based wound dressings. Textile-based scaffolds and biopolymer wound dressings have shown several advantages over traditional dressings. These dressings provide a moist environment that supports healing, protects wounds from external factors, and promotes tissue regeneration. Moreover, biocompatibility and ease of degradability significantly reduce the risk of infection and facilitate the healing process. Therefore, biopolymers have great potential for use in textile-based scaffold and wound dressing, with several benefits for skin tissue regeneration and overall improvement in the outcome of wound management. This chapter discusses the fabrication of biopolymer-based scaffolds and wound dressings with their characterization.

Textile products are currently being used as thermal barriers in a variety of industrial applications. Textile fabrics’ thermal insulating capabilities are determined by their thermal conductivity, density, thickness, and thermal emission characteristics. The influence of temperature, thermal conductivity, and material density on the behavior of textiles as insulators is one of the most important features that make textiles an appropriate insulating material. In this current era of environmental concern, manufacturers and customers are largely focused on creating and using nature-based sustainable, biocompatible, and renewable stuff. Biopolymers, or biologically generated polymer compounds, are petroleum-free textile sources for the textile industry. They have a large beneficial influence by lowering dependency on fossil fuels as well as the carbon footprint, and they may even be more cost-effective and durable than synthetic fabrics. Biopolymers are employed in specific areas based on pricing, accessibility, moisture retention, temperature resistance, physical characteristics, degrading stability, and biocompatibility. The biopolymer element of the aggregate governs the chemical contents, molecular mass, morphological traits, physical qualities, and processing technology of a bio-composite. The current chapter discusses the method of insulation given by textile materials and biopolymers, the biopolymer used for these purposes, and the many uses of biopolymers for insulation.

The excessive utilization of petroleum-based synthetic and non-biodegradable resources for a variety of applications in textile industry has caused severe environmental destruction. The need for sustainable materials has stimulated scientists to explore alternative materials. For instance, biopolymers have gained attention owing to their ecological and biodegradable nature. Over the past decades, textile industry has been using synthetic- and plastic-based materials owing to their attractive properties such as low cost, easily availability, and versatility. However, textile/fashion industry is responsible for the production of around 92 million tonnes of non-biodegradable and highly hazardous waste at every level of processing which ultimately end up in landfills. Processing of petroleum into polyester results in the production of synthetic fibers or microplastics that can take up to 200 years to decompose which ultimately pose health risks to consumers. Along with the health risks, these synthetic fibers are responsible for the groundwater pollution, noise pollution, soil pollution, wastewater and liquid waste run off, and airborne waste. The production of microplastics emits greenhouse gas, i.e. 300 times more dangerous than carbon dioxide. Furthermore, the economy of the country also hampers by the textile waste as consumer spending increases, so does waste output from both the manufacturing and home sectors. In this way, the environment and economy both get affected by the textile industry. Owing to changing demand and technologies, the share of environment-friendly eco-textiles within international textile and apparel trade has been increasing so as to minimize hazardous effects. The ongoing research focuses to meet the environmental legislation and consumer demands for advanced, sustainable options and biopolymers are one of them.

There are considerable financial and environmental advantages to using biopolymers in the textile business. Biopolymers are polymers that are compostable and biodegradable and are produced from natural feedstock that includes plants, animals, and microbes. A significant amount of innovative textile material derived from sustainable polymeric resources, such as cellulose, etc. In particular, biopolymers generated from naturally occurring substances are environmentally friendly, harmless, and recyclable materials. The ability of biopolymers to lessen the volume of plastics waste produced by the textile sector is one of the key environmental advantages of these materials. Biopolymers can take the place of typical synthetic materials made from petroleum, which are not sustainable and can require several centuries to break down. The textile industry may lessen its influence on the environment and help to build a healthier era by employing biopolymers. The textile sector may potentially profit economically from the use of biopolymers. Financially speaking, biopolymers are more attractive in the modern world and much less costly of low cost with practical availability. They can be made at cheaper price like typical synthetic polymers, as they do not need petro feedstock and mostly generated using less energy. Yet, there are significant drawbacks to using biopolymers in the textile sector. For instance, biopolymers could not be as strong and durable as traditional synthetic polymers and might need more processing steps. In summary, employing biopolymers in the textile sector have the ability to have a substantial positive impact on both the environment and the economy. The significant ecological effects of biopolymers and their advantages for the textile industry will be covered in this chapter. The advantages of biopolymers in the textile industry for the environment and economy will be addressed through the use of sustainable methods.

Wool, silk, and cashmere are natural fibers, proteins which are developed of condensed alpha-amino acids found in animal sources. They possess unique characteristics, including warmth, moisture-wicking ability, and resilience. Wool, a widely used protein fiber, is synthesized from keratin produced by specialized cells in sheep's skin. The wool life cycle involves shearing, cleaning, spinning, and manufacturing into various products like clothing, blankets, and upholstery. The chemical composition of wool includes keratin, which gives it its distinctive properties. Wool finds applications in clothing, home textiles, outdoor gear, filtration, insulation, and various industrial sectors. Protein fibers, such as collagen and silk, have diverse medical applications. They are commonly used in wound dressings, tissue engineering scaffolds, and controlled drug delivery systems. Protein fibers offer unique properties, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, and mechanical strength, making them valuable in the development of artificial organs and surgical materials. Additionally, these fibers have potential applications in bioadhesives for tissue sealing and wound closure. As research continues, exploring the full potential of protein fibers from various sources may lead to innovative advancements in medical technology and therapeutics.