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GREEN STORY OF LYOCELL FIBRE Ajay Sardana (Head TRADC), Sanjay Vishwakarma (Head QA, TRADC) The authors are M.Tech in Textile Engineering from IIT Delhi and have valuable experience in textile industry. They are presently working at Textile Research & Application Development Centre (TRADC) which is a state of the art research & application centre of pulp& fibre business, Aditya Birla Group catering to requirements of entire value chain since its inception in year 2004 Abstract Lyocell fibre is the latest cohort of manmade Cellulosic fibre shaped by extremely advanced environment friendly and engineered technical process. Lyocell fibre not only avert environment contamination but enriches the same by turning barren lands to fertile lands, purifying the air, absorbing solar radiations and consuming less sweet water thus leaving abundant sweet water for supplementary usage. With the best possessions of all the natural and synthetic fibre characteristics, Lyocell fibre is indisputably the answer to the requirements to todays customers.

Textiles are very important part of our lives and form an indispensable part of our daily routine. Textiles can be made from a variety of materials. They are classified on the basis of their component fibers into silk, wool, linen, cotton, rayon, synthetic fibers like nylon and polyesters and some inorganic fibers such as cloth of gold, glass fiber and asbestos cloth. Cellulosic based products can be mainly categorized in following: o Cotton based products o Organic products cotton based Cellulose

Complications with Cotton: Fertilizer and pesticide are used during cultivation of Cotton for better yield and quality and that leads to water and soil pollution. Pesticide usage results in lower soil quality, reduced nitrogen fixation, contributes to pollinator decline, can reduce habitat, especially for birds, land can threaten endangered species. Many studies have indicated that pesticide exposure is associated with longterm health problems such as respiratory problems, memory disorders, dermatologic conditions, cancer, depression, neurological deficits, miscarriages, and birth defects in humans

o Regenerated based products

Textile Research & Application Development Centre (TRADC) Birla Cellulose, Kharach, Kosamba (Gujarat)

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Remedy is usage of Organic Cotton or man made Cellulosic based products. In case of organic cotton, fertilizer and pesticide are not used during cultivation. GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) is an organization who has taken initiative for promoting organic cotton. The main advantages of organic cotton: o Pesticides and fertilizers are not used during cultivation o No adverse river/sea water effect on

Wet spun technology: o Products are Viscose and Modal fibre (First & Second generation Cellulosic fibre) Wood pulp is converted into viscose solution and again regenerated for getting back modified cellulose. During production chemical effluents are produced which have harmful effects on nature if not treated. Rigorous purification actions are practiced before discharging the effluents to atmosphere ensuring discharges under acceptable limits.

In case of products made from man made Cellulose the product feel is either similar or better than that made from cotton or organic cotton. The basic raw material for man made Cellulosic fibre production is Wood Pulp derived from Eucalyptus tree. Man made Cellulosic fibre (Regenerated Cellulosic fibre)

Solvent spun technology: o o Product is Lyocell (Third generation Cellulosic fibre) This production process is also known as solvent spun technology. When the solvent comes in contact with water, water is evaporated by means of heat and solvent is extracted. This is neutralized with the help of absorption chillers. Thus the process remains eco as well as environment friendly.

o
Wood Pulp (Raw Material)

Wet spun Technology

Solvent spun technology

Viscose

Modal

Lyocell

During production of first and second generation man made Cellulosic fibre there is absolutely no usage of any pesticides and fertilizers. The discharges to

Textile Research & Application Development Centre (TRADC) Birla Cellulose, Kharach, Kosamba (Gujarat)

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atmosphere are minimal and can be taken care by employing effluent treatment plant in the downstream processes. During manufacturing of third generation man made Cellulosic fibre (Lyocell fibre) there are absolutely zero discharges to atmosphere and thus there is absolutely zero pollution of atmosphere. Moreover water used for producing unit kg of fibre is significantly lesser when compared to water used for producing first and second generation man made Cellulosic fibre. Advantages of Cellulosic fibres man made

Higher air Purification per hectare of land in comparison to Cotton Higher Solar heat absorption Less consumption of sweet water per kg of viscose fibre Nitrogen storage in roots of plants there by making barren land fertile Zero discharges to atmosphere during production of Lyocell fibre

o o o

Certifications ISO 9001:2000 EMS 14001 Oeko Tex 100

Man made Cellulosic fibre offers following advantages during upstream & fibre production processes: o Land conservation: Efforts are on to encourage tree-farming practice on marginal, sub marginal and fallow lands to the best advantage of the country. The yield of Viscose is seven times that of cotton for the same land area. Thus significantly contributing to conservation of land, and reaping maximum results from this limited resource. o Water conservation: Viscose is highly environment friendly. Every kilogram of viscose produced saves 200 buckets of water when compared to cotton. Thus it preserves one of the most valuable natural resources

ECO labeling of Lyocell fibre "Eco labelling" is a voluntary method of environmental performance certification and labelling that is practiced around the world. The Global Eco labelling Network (GEN) is a non-profit association of thirdparty, environmental performance recognition, certification and labelling organizations founded in 1994 to improve, promote, and develop the "Eco labelling" of products and services. " GEN franchise in India is Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and its coordinator is BIS. Birla Excel (Lyocell) has passed through the requirement for getting

Textile Research & Application Development Centre (TRADC) Birla Cellulose, Kharach, Kosamba (Gujarat)

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ECO Mark certification and is in the process of auditing its manufacturing plant. It is expected

to get eco mark certification from CPCB in 2010

References 1. 2. www.birlacellulose.com www.globalecolabelling.net

Textile Research & Application Development Centre (TRADC) Birla Cellulose, Kharach, Kosamba (Gujarat)