Application of essential oils for finishing of textile substrates

Finishing of various textile fabrics to make it more marketable and its demand is increasing due to global competition and increasing globalization has created many challenges to the textile researchers and industrialist The rapid growth in technical textiles and their end uses has generated many opportunities for the application of innovative finishes The next phase of growth and development of this industry will be focused on three main aspects a nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp Value added products with enhanced functionality b nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp Apparels c nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp Sustainable products Novel finishing of fabrics has been appreciated by a more discerning and demanding consumer market With the steady improvement in technology and application standards a gradual rise has been observed in consumer demands and to reach up to that mark a manufacturer has to add something to their products to get some added value for their products Nano finishing or finishing with macro finishes can provide high efficacy and efficiency for treated fabrics in comparison to conventional materials because they possess large surface area and high surface energy that ensures better affinity for fabrics and leads to an increase in durability of the textile functions Natural oils such as essential oils and other herbal products such as neem oil castor oil karanja oil citronella oil etc have long been used but today they are also being promoted to be used for finishing application due to their good efficacy without any harmful effects The present work deals with the possibilities for application of natural oils on textiles to impart value addition to the substrate Neem oil obtained commercially was reduced into Nano and micro neem oil emulsion using various types of emulsifiers The recipe has been attained to get a high add on on the substrate and also to improve wash fastness properties of the finished samples The inherent properties of neem oil such as insecticidal antibacterial antimicrobial provided the required inspiration to undertake the work and the process used here was ecofriendly as well as neem oil being abundantly available acted as driving force for this work The process parameters of preparation and application are relatively easy and feasible and hence can be easily made available to the rural public at much reduced costs and it can create hygiene awareness as well as help in halting the spread of epidemics These value added products not only produce considerable increase in profit but also build the brand image