Plasma technologies for the textile industry The PLASMATECH network brought together scientists and industrialists involved in applying plasma technologies in the field of textiles in order to identify and nurture new partnerships. Stressing the importance of information and expertise exchange, it promoted projects promising new technological prospects, invaluable for European industry. Industrial Technologies © DigitalVision Plasma technologies are based on physical processes with enormous environmental benefits when compared to traditional chemical processes that consume significant amounts of energy and involve high waste-processing costs. Moreover, recent advances in commercially viable plasma systems have greatly increased the potential of using plasma technology in the textile industry. Low-temperature plasma treatment can be an alternative to wet processes used for the preparation and finishing of textiles, modifying solely the fibre surface, which is responsible for materials' end-use properties. Appropriate choice of gas and control of operation conditions ensures biocompatibility of textiles for medical use, imparts hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties, reduces flammability and improves pigment fixation. New ideas and knowledge accumulated from the cross-fertilising of different scientific and industrial sectors represented within the PLASMATECH consortium fostered research and development of new applications of plasma technology. The network of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), together with industrial companies, universities and research centres that was established aimed to further boost the penetration of plasma technology in industry. ACTECO, a project aiming to achieve breakthrough technology for plasma processing of materials, which will address end-users needs for hyper-functional surface properties, is the outcome of this European Thematic Network. Along with ten additional European projects, they intend to replace traditional industrial processes characterised by the consumption of large amounts of water and solvents with dry technology. It is expected that they will produce significant spillovers, from which other sectors can profit.
