Alchemie Technology, located in Cambridge, UK, has announced a cooperation with Swiss specialty chemistry company HeiQ, located in Zurich, as it prepares to roll out its Novara digital finishing system to the worldwide textile industry later this year.

HeiQ is developing some of the most sustainable, durable, effective, high-performance textile technology available, while Alchemie's digital textile printing technology aims to transform the dyeing and finishing industry by lowering manufacturing costs and environmental impact through a waterless, low-chemistry, low-energy, digital solution.

Novara technology can apply a single-sided or simultaneous two-sided coating of multiple finishes to specific areas of textile, combining, for example, water repellence and anti-odor in a single fabric. It offers high-performance added-value finishing at much-reduced prices, requiring on average 50% less chemical and 50% less energy, and saving up to 50% per meter in production expenses.

Simon Kew, Alchemie MD, said extensive testing using HeiQ's chemistry and their digital finishing technology has resulted in remarkable finishing performance with half the chemistry required by traditional finishing methods.

He added that Novara used 52% less chemicals, 66% less water, and 50% less energy for single-sided finishing with HeiQ Viroblock, while achieving a 99.7% decrease in antimicrobial activity after 15 washes at 400 degrees Celsius.

Kew said with such a high demand for high-performance antibacterial and antiviral finishing for gym wear, face masks, medical apparel, mattresses, home furnishings, and textiles for high-risk, high-traffic areas like train and plane seats, their combined technology is critical for improving protection and reducing environmental impact.

Novara also enables unique lifestyle product innovations for fashion, technical clothing, sportswear, and upholstery at lower production costs, such as combining sustainable odor control, skincare additives, and fragrance finishing without compromising breathability, hand feel, or wicking. It is suitable for finishing a variety of fabrics ranging in weight from 50 to 1000 gsm, including cotton, nylon, polyester, and poly-cotton.

Carlo Centonze, CEO of HeiQ, said they're happy to cooperate with Alchemie Technology in its drive to improve the textile industry with solutions that lessen the environmental effect of dyeing and finishing. With such compelling cost benefits, Alchemie's technology offers both the textile sector and the environment.