Reduction of water consumption by source dying

67% less water consumption and wastewater

At KE Fibertec we want to take responsibility for the environment, and over the years we have launched a number of initiatives focused on reducing our resource consumption — not least water, which is an increasingly scarce resource.

When dyeing raw materials, there are different methods for both material and yarn dyeing. Previously, our textile materials were primarily dyed after weaving, where finished textile rolls were dyed. This process requires large amounts of water to ensure that the color penetrates thoroughly into the material — right up to 25 liters of water per kilogram of textile. A few years ago, KE Fibertec therefore made a strategic decision to minimise the use of this staining method as far as possible in order to significantly reduce water consumption.

Today, the majority of our yarns are dyed by methods that use significantly less water. One method is dyeing yarn, which is supplied from our subcontractors and is coiled on cones (plastic tubes). The yarn rolls are mounted on a spire and dyed in the desired color. The advantage of this method is a significantly lower water consumption of only 5 litres per kg.

Another method is staining the granules from which the yarn is made. Here, the color is added directly in the manufacturing process of the granule, which means that no water is used in the process of staining itself.

The transition to these methods has had a significant effect. Since we decided to color our raw materials with a lower water consumption, we have reduced both water consumption and wastewater with 67%, equivalent to an annual saving of more than one million litres of water.

In line with our strategy to offer sustainable ventilation solutions, since 2023 we have also been able to offer digital printing as an alternative to traditional staining. With environmentally friendly, water-based inks, we can offer free choice via transfer printing between up to 1,600 colors — in a process that also does not use water.

If you want to know more, you can watch the video below, where you will get an in-depth look at how KE Fibertec dyes yarns before the raw materials are included in production and woven into finished textile materials.

KE Fibertec - Dyeing

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