Workers exposure to synthetic textiles microfibers

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to comprehend the efficiency levels of the Indian textile industry and also its sub-sectors in the light of changing global and national business environment. It is imperative to study the efficiency levels of textile industry for an emerging economy like India, where the industry contributes up to 13 per cent in export earnings, 10 per cent in total industrial production and 2 per cent in gross domestic product (GDP). The study holds an important place in the wake of phasing out of the quota regime existing under the Multi Fibre Agreement (MFA) and the rising competition being faced from countries such as Bangladesh, Vietnam and Cambodia.Design/methodology/approachThe present study attempts to have an in-depth analysis of the efficiency levels in the Indian textile industry using meta-frontier data envelopment analysis, which is a non-parametric linear programming based frontier technique.FindingsThe findings highlight that the Indian textile industry is inefficient and has a huge scope of improvement in terms of efficiency. It also confirms the existence of different production functions among the sub-sectors of the industry. Among the different sub-sectors, the proximity of production frontier of readymade garments is the closest to meta-frontier followed by cotton and blended yarn, man-made fibre, cloth and others.Practical implicationsThe findings bear strong implications for the policymakers in their attempt to regain the lost competitive position of the Indian textile industry and to enhance its contribution in the economy. As per the findings, policymakers should target the relatively inefficient sub-sectors of textile industry (cloth, man-made fibre, cotton and blended yarn) to infuse more efficiency in these sectors to enhance the market share of the Indian textile industry in the global textiles market.Originality/valueThe current study is a unique addition to the sparse literature on managing efficiencies in the textile industry, particularly of emerging economy like India. Looking at the methodological and geographical coverage of the previous work, it was found that no study has explored and analysed the efficiencies of the sub-sectors in the Indian textile industry using meta-frontier analysis. Therefore, this study will be the first of its kind which seeks to fill such gaps and intends to enrich the available literature.

Eco-friendly degumming of natural fibers for textile applications: A comprehensive review

The textile and apparel industry is one of the most resource-intensive and environmentally polluting sectors, traditionally operating under a linear “take-make-dispose” model. The Circular Economy (CE) has emerged as a promising framework to reduce waste, enhance resource efficiency, and promote closed-loop production systems. This study conducts a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) of research published between 2020 and 2025 to examine the adoption of CE practices in the textile industry, with a particular focus on India. Using data from Scopus, IEEE Xplore, and Google Scholar, relevant studies were identified and analyzed to understand technological developments, governance frameworks, and socio-economic challenges influencing circular transition. The findings reveal that while advancements in recycling technologies and digital traceability are progressing, large-scale implementation remains constrained by infrastructural gaps, financial limitations of MSMEs, and governance deficiencies. The review also highlights the spatial bias of existing CE models toward Western contexts, which often overlook the realities of manufacturing hubs in the Global South. The study concludes that effective circular transformation requires integrated policy frameworks, improved reverse logistics infrastructure, and the formal inclusion of informal recycling networks.

The textile industry´s evolution, driven by advancements in microelectronics, biotechnology and synthetic fiber production, has intensified environmental concerns, particularly with fast fashion´s reliance on non-biodegradable materials. The pursuit of degradable textiles is impeded by unclear definitions and limitations in current testing standards, which are primarily designed for plastics and do not adequately address the degradability specific to textiles. Textile degradation occurs through physical and biological (biodegradation) processes, in which the complex organic compounds are broken into simpler ones, in anaerobic and aerobic environments. Even though plastic degradation standards have been modified for textiles, variations in test settings and durations pose difficulties, and further work is needed to increase the precision of textile biodegradation assessments. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the degradation process and the associated testing methods. Additionally, within the scope of the be@t project, an investigation was conducted to assess the degradability of cotton, lyocell and polyester fibers - representing a natural, regenerated, and synthetic fibers, respectively - under laboratory simulated composting conditions. The study utilized standards intended for plastics, with necessary modifications to accommodate textile testing.

Background: Fibrous materials are pivotal in textile manufacturing and are categorized into natural and manmade fibers. Natural fibers include cellulose-based (e.g., cotton, jute, flax) and protein-based fibers. Despite synthetic fibers' dominance, natural fibers are gaining traction due to eco-friendly attributes. This study focuses on Sansevieria trifasciata fibers (STF), a lingo-cellulosic natural fiber with promising textile applications. Methods: The study examined STF's physical and chemical properties, employing standard processes for scouring, bleaching, and dyeing. Raw STF fibers underwent cleaning, scouring with sodium hydroxide, and bleaching with hydrogen peroxide. Dyeing trials utilized Direct, Reactive, and Vat dyes, optimizing parameters such as concentration, pH, time, and temperature, adapted from jute fiber methods. Results: Scouring effectively removed impurities, achieving significant fiber cleanliness. Bleaching produced high whiteness (>80%). Post-treatment, STF exhibited altered weight, strength, elongation, and moisture content. Dyeing with Direct, Reactive, and Vat dyes yielded vibrant hues, with Reactive and Vat dyes displaying superior wash fastness (4 and 4/5, respectively). Photodegradation tests revealed color susceptibility under sunlight. Conclusion: STF demonstrates potential as a sustainable alternative in textiles, suitable for diverse applications including weaving, non-woven textiles, composites, and handicrafts. Adaptation of jute processing techniques was viable, though further research is needed for optimization. STF's renewable nature, eco-friendliness, and air purification benefits enhance its appeal for sustainable textile production and urban landscaping. Sansevieria trifasciata fibers present a viable eco-friendly option in the textile industry, warranting continued exploration and development.

A considerable contributor to the emissions of greenhouse gases is the textile industry’s production of synthetic fibers due to their use of petroleum products (Laitala, Klepp, & Henry, 2018). Thus, there is a need to discover more cellulosic fibers to help lessen the environmental impact of those synthetic fibers (van Dam, 2008; Laitala, et al., 2018). However, there seems to be a lack of cellulosic fibers and natural yarns in the market, only Agave sisalana (Sisal), Ananas comosus (Pineapple) and commercially available (e.g. Cotton) to be able to replace synthetic fibers (Chadramothan & Marimuthu, 2011). Thus, this research aims to study Saccharum spontaneum Linn., locally known in the Philippines as “Talahib” and internationally as “Wild Cane Grass” as an alternative to commercially available synthetic fiber. The researchers produced yarn blends that consist of 30% Saccharum spontaneum (300 g) with 70% pure cotton (700 g) by cutting, drying, blending, and spinning the fibers from the leaves and stalks onto bobbins. In spinning, the fibers passed through four machines — namely: blending machine, draw frame machine, speed frame machine, and ring frame machine. Pure commercial (100%) cotton yarns were obtained from the Philippine Textile Research Institute. Tensile Strength Testing was used in order to determine the strength of the grass prototype yarn compared to pure cotton yarn. The mean breaking strength of the blended yarns were recorded at 3.99 N while the pure cotton yarns were recorded at 2.99 N. Furthermore, using statistical t-test for two sample means assuming unequal variances of the recorded breaking strength of the yarns, a t-critical value of −2.13 and a t stat value of −12.13 were noted. Thus, the researchers concluded that there was probably a significant difference in the strength of the Saccharum spontaneum - cotton blended yarn to the pure cotton yarn. The study tends to suggest that Saccharum spontaneum Linn. may be a likely viable substitute in terms of the strength of the yarn. The researchers recommend that further research should be done to study the feasibility of having a varied percentage blend of Saccharum spontaneum Linn. - Cotton yarns and testing its tensile strength.

In the current climate of concerns about global warming, the apparel and textile sectors are leading the way as the fastest-growing contributors of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Three different kinds of textile fibres include natural, man-made, and synthetic. Natural fibres come from plants and animals, while man-made fibres are manufactured from polymers generated from crude oil. Regenerative textiles are increasingly becoming popular with the aim to reduce the life cycle impacts of the textile products. Regenerative textiles can be obtained from the chemical recycling of the waste textiles, or by reusing and repairing the discarded textiles, and another way is through the use of regenerative agriculture techniques at the cultivation stage to enhance the overall environment friendliness of the textiles. Cotton is the fibre that is utilized the most in the textile industry, hence it is sometimes referred to as the “monarch” of the world's textile industries. The cultivation stage of cotton requires a significant amount of water for the plant’s continued growth and is one of the most significant blue water consumers. Additionally, the production of cotton apparel results in the emission of high amounts of greenhouse gases, through its life cycle, which includes processes such as fibre ginning, yarn manufacturing, fabric production, colouring, printing, and the final assembly of clothing. Cotton production is undergoing a transition from conventional to organic and organic to recycled cotton. This change, which has been found to decrease some consequences on the environment, began with conventional cotton production. Because of recent advancements in the field of life cycle assessment (LCA), the analyst's job has become increasingly simpler, and estimating the environment impacts, using LCA tool, is now much less difficult. Recent research studies on cotton, aimed at identifying its environmental impacts, have led to various changes in the cultivation phase, which, in turn, have contributed to a lower consumption of traditional fertilizers. The newly discovered sustainable cotton fibre known as regenerative organic cotton was determined to have less of an impact on the environment than either conventional or organic cotton. Although there are negligible studies found in the open literature, on cotton obtained through regenerative agricultural route at the moment, research in this field is becoming increasingly popular. The purpose of this chapter is to conduct a review of regenerative LCA studies and their future prospects.KeywordsSustainabilitySustainable agricultureLCARegenerative textilesRegenerative agricultureCottonRegenerative cottonRegenerative agriculture practices

For centuries, man has dominated the development of fibers and textiles to make clothing that protects them against environmental adversities, and gradually dissimilar cultural and ethnic identity traits have been created. Our garments are composed of natural elements such as animal leather, vegetable fibers, and synthetic textiles that result in ultra-resistant and durable materials. However, the textile industry has a non-sustainable character mainly because population growth will limit the use of natural resources, such as land and water, exclusively for food. At the same time, petrochemical-derived materials will gradually be replaced by more biodegradable alternatives due to their toxic accumulation in the local environment and their contribution to global climate change. The vast inventiveness of human-being is opening the possibility of replacing our clothes by mimicking, reproducing, and scaling up nature’s biosynthetic machinery through cutting-edge biotechnological approaches. Nevertheless, the new cosmovision of biotextiles must meet two requirements: 1) the appearance and performance of the clothes should be preserved to join the current textile market demand, and at the same time, 2) new functionalities should be incorporated into our clothes to embrace the impressive technological advances occurring day to day. In this regard, nanotechnological developments will be able to provide the desired properties so that the textile industry can provide bio-based materials enhanced with nanotechnology-based intelligent functionalities. This perspective article discloses nano-biotechnological approaches to address the challenge of dressing up future societies and new material consciousness.

Chapter 19 - Functional and eco-friendly polymers in textile applications

This paper addresses the growing concern surrounding microplastic pollution, particularly within the textile industry, and the associated potential health risks linked to the inhalation and ingestion of microplastic particles. Microplastics, defined as plastic particles smaller than five millimeters, are increasingly found not only in aquatic environments, but also in soils, air, and food. Although research on the health impacts of microplastics is still emerging, early studies indicate that these particles could contribute to health issues, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and cardiovascular diseases. Notably, individuals with higher concentrations of plastics in arterial plaques are more susceptible to heart attacks and strokes. In the textile industry, synthetic fibers such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic release microplastics into the air during production. The paper discusses a study conducted in a textile company that processes polyester yarns, where airborne microplastic concentrations were measured at various locations throughout the day. Particle sizes ranging from 0.3 nm to 10 nm were analyzed, revealing the presence of polyester polymers in the particulate matter. These findings underscore the widespread nature of microplastic pollution, particularly in industrial settings, and raise concerns about the health risks associated with prolonged exposure to airborne microplastics. While further research is necessary to fully understand the extent of these health impacts, preliminary data suggest a troubling link between microplastic inhalation and cardiovascular conditions.

The production, use, and disposal of synthetic textiles potentially release a significant amount of microfibers into the environment. Studies performed on municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) effluent reported a higher presence of microfibers due to the mix of domestic laundry effluent through sewage. As municipal WWTPs receive influents from households and industries, it serves as a sink for the microfibers. However, research on textile industry WWTPs that primarily treat the textile fabric processing wastewater was not explored with the concern of microfibers. Hence, the review aims to analyze the existing literature and enlighten the impact of WWTPs on microplastic emission into the environment by specifically addressing textile industry WWTPs. The results of the review confirmed that even after 95-99% removal, municipal WWTPs can emit around 160 million microplastics per day into the environment. Microfiber was the dominant shape identified by the review. The average microfiber contamination in the WWTP sludge was estimated as 200 microfibers per gram of sludge. As far as the industry-specific effluents are analyzed, textile wet processing industries effluents contained > 1000 times higher microfibers than municipal WWTP. Despite few existing studies on textile industry effluent, the review demonstrates that, so far, no studies were performed on the sludge obtained from WWTPs that handle textile industry effluents alone. Review results pointed out that more attention should be needed to the textile wastewater research which is addressing the textile wet processing industry WWTPs. Moreover, the sludge released from these WWTPs should be consideredas an important source of microfiber as they contain more quantity of microfibers than the effluent, and also, their routes to the environment are huge and easy.

The aim of this review is to address the issue of textile-origin microplastics and to provide possible solutions that can be propose through a scientific and development program. The constant expansion of textile production and consumption, driven by population growth and the ubiquity of fast fashion, has triggered environmental contamination resulting from the release of fiber fragments during the washing and use of clothing and household textiles. These fragments, ranging in size from 1 μm to 5 mm, pose a novel source of pollution that not only threatens the health of aquatic animals when ingested but also risks human food safety by infiltrating the food chain. Despite the growing awareness of the environmental impacts of these plastic microfibers (MP) from synthetic textiles, this study departs from conventional actions focused on mitigating microplastic pollution. Instead, it focuses on proposing specific measures to reduce MP emissions and addresses the even greater challenge of replacing these plastic microfibers with animal-origin textile fibers. This approach emerges as a promising and sustainable alternative to counteract the negative environmental impact of the contemporary fashion industry. The essence of this challenge lies in determining the competitiveness of animal-origin textile fibers against MP. To achieve this goal, specific actions are proposed, including the need to reduce both the environmental impact and costs associated with processing animal fibers. The study also emphasizes the importance of effectively highlighting the biological and textile advantages of these fibers to encourage their acceptance and adoption in the competitive textile market. This project addresses concrete strategies to promote the use of animal-origin textile fibers. It suggests optimizing the cleaning process and genetically improving these fibers, considering key aspects such as quality and color. The research also highlights the potential contribution to sustainability certification and well-being associated with the use of animal-origin textile fibers, providing a solid foundation for their adoption in the textile industry. In conclusion, this work not only departs from traditional measures focused on microplastics to address MP release but ventures into more ambitious territory by proposing increased use of animal-origin textile fibers as a path to a more sustainable fashion. Specific actions are outlined to enhance the competitiveness of these fibers in the current market, emphasizing their potential contribution to reducing textile pollution and thus strengthening the transition to more environmentally responsible practices in the fashion industry.

The textile industry is expanding globally and is considered the backbone of the world’s largest source of foreign exchange. The development of the textile industry has caused environmental contamination due to its dye waste, which is complex and very difficult to resolve with chemical and physical treatments. Azo dye is one of the most widely used dyes in textile and other industries. It is one of the significantly toxic dyes, and when released in water bodies, it causes a serious threat to the environment. A bacterial strain having the potential to degrade a variety of azo dyes such as Congo red (CR), methylene blue (MB), Alizarin Red S (AR), and Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) was isolated from soil samples in the wood weathering area and further identified and characterized. Ligninolytic microorganisms produce laccase enzymes, lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase, and other enzymes that can decolorize dye waste from the textile industry. The research phase was qualitative and quantitative tests of ligninolytic bacteria in the decolorization process using several selected synthetic dyes, antagonism tests, and identification of potential bacteria based on 16S rDNA gene sequences. The L11 isolate showed high performance on CR dye of 82.79%, L1 isolate on dye AR of 40.51%, L7 isolate on dye MB of 38.69%, and L8 isolate on RBBR dye of 30.34%. The L11 isolate with the highest potency was identified as Bacillus paramycoides K7.2 with a similarity of 99.71%. After 7 days of incubation, the quantitative test findings are the same as the qualitative test results, with isolate L11 having the largest clear zone on CR, AR, and RBBR dyes.

Introduction: Un-hygienic conditions and lack of protective measures (masks, ear plugs, first aid box etc.) contribute to eye-problems, cough, headache and other health problems in weaving industries. Various mechanical and chemical processes are employed in textile industries, resulting in different acute and chronic environmental and health problems. For nearly 300 years, work in textile industry has been recognized as hazardous. Continuous exposure to cotton dust is associated with progressive impairment of pulmonary function and with respiratory tract symptoms. By far the most important respiratory disease in that industry is byssinosis. Methods: A representative sample of 800 workers in the Punjab cotton industries were studied by questionnaire and clinical examination. In a sub-sample of these workers and in an unexposed comparison group spirometry (161 male workers) was performed and samples of exfoliated buccal cells (102 persons) were obtained to check for nuclear anomalies indicative of cytotoxic and genotoxic effects. The health data were complemented by industrial hygiene data: concentrations of inhalable dust were exceptionally high at some sites. Dust samples were collected and analyzed for endotoxins. Ergonomic and working conditions (noise, accident hazards, etc.) were recorded by applying a standardized form. Results: After controlling for age lung function values declined significantly with duration of exposure and reported symptoms rates increased. Cytotoxic markers were significantly high in buccal cells of exposed workers and genotoxic markers increased significantly with years of occupational exposure. Dust levels were highest in smaller factories producing for the local market. Conclusion: Occupational health and safety are still burning issues in developing countries. Poor industrial hygiene and poor health could be documented in the cotton industry, which is an important sector of the Pakistani economy.

This organization, which extends its assistance to any textile manufacturer in his problem of selection, blending and use of fibers and yarns, is unique in the textile in dustry. It is a fine example of industrial research for the common good. To be sure it was established with a view of promoting company sales; nevertheless its direct benefit to the entire rayon industry through broad ening the market for regenerated and synthetic fibers is obvious. (EDITOR.)