Modified proteases for the reduction of felting and shrinkage of wool textiles

Objective

The market value of wool is limited by the fact that consumers place increasingly high demands on machine wash ability and soft handle. Felting, which is a typical property of wool due to the configuration of the scales of the wool fibre, is a serious problem, especially during washing. Chlorination, followed by polymer deposition, is commonly used to confer shrink-resistance, but this involves major drawbacks with respect to chlorine and the environment. The main aspect of this proposal is to develop a novel enzymatic process for producing machine washable wool by limiting the enzymatic degradation of wool fibres to their cuticle scales. The novel engineered enzymes will be developed to achieve this goal. The radically new bioprocessing regimes for wool scouring and finishing processes, and commercial products will be developed. This would be a major technological breakthrough to completely replace a hazardous chemical preparation and finishing route.

Programme(s)

• FP5-GROWTH - Programme for research technological development and demonstration on "Competitive and sustainable growth 1998-2002"

Topic(s)

• 1.1.3.-1. - Key Action Innovative Products, Processes and Organisation

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY

Address

The Gateway
LE1 9BH Leicester
United Kingdom

Participants (7)

ALPHACHEM SPECIALITIES LTD

United Kingdom

Address

Units B&c, Springvale Business Park, Water Lane
BB3 2EB Darwen

GRAZ UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Austria

Address

Petersgasse 12
8010 Graz

JAMES WEEKER SINCE 1927

Netherlands

Address

Mercuriusplein 1
5971 LW Grubbenvorst

JOHN GLADSTONE (DYERS AND FINISHERS) LIMITED

United Kingdom

Address

Union Mills, George Street
HD3 4JD Huddersfield

NETHERLANDS ORGANISATION FOR APPLIED SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH - TNO

Netherlands

Address

Parkweg 1
7500AH Enschede

OVIS TEXLA

Netherlands

Address

Weverstraat, 38
1791AE Den Burg

UNIVERSIDADE DO MINHO

Portugal

Address

Campus Azurem
4800-058 Guimaraes