Australian textile technology firm Xefco has announced it will next year set up a pilot manufacturing facility for its new plasma-based method of applying dyes and coatings to textiles.
Xefco’s Ausora solution was developed in collaboration with Deakin University’s Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM) and engineering equipment provider Proficiency Contracting with US$3.4 million funding from the Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC).
It is claimed to reduce water use by 88 per cent and energy use by 86 per cent, compared to conventional wet processes, by using plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition.
“After successfully demonstrating the process, we are now scaling up to our roll-to-roll systems,” said Tom Hussey, CEO of Xefco.
“We are currently setting up a pilot manufacturing facility at Deakin University’s ManuFutures in Geelong, which will enable us to refine the technology and facilitate commercial trials for customers in the new year.”
Dr Frank Chen, a research fellow specialising in plasma at IFM, added: “By working as one team with one shared goal, we were able to address any challenges and harness our research expertise to advance the development of this exciting technology more quickly.
“And as a result, we have developed a unique atmospheric plasma coating system that reduces the cost, complexity and environmental impact of textile manufacturing by eliminating wet dyeing and finishing processes.”
Dr Matthew Young, IMCRC’s manufacturing innovation manager, said the project put Australia at the forefront of research into advanced sustainable fabric coating processes and had the potential to catalyse meaningful change in the fashion and textiles industry.
“The collaboration between Xefco, Deakin University and Proficiency Contracting demonstrates Australia’s enormous research capability and serves as an exemplar of how industry-led innovation is helping to solve some of our world’s most pressing challenges,” he said.
“Xefco’s technology will drive environmentally friendly and resource-efficient processes, reducing water consumption and pollution, and changing the way fabrics are dyed and finished in Australia and around the world.”
