Annual meeting of textile chemistry group held

Research highlights:

• Sustainability of nonwovens: PhD scholar Virpi Rämö discussed strategies for facilitating a sustainability transition in nonwoven textiles.
• Bio-Based functional materials: PhD scholar Babak Abdi presented his research on formulating bio-based coatings to achieve electrical conductivity in cellulosic fabrics.
• Color stripping processes: PhD scholar Shubhajit Dutta showcased his work under the TexirC Project, developing methods to remove reactive dyes from textile waste.
• Master’s thesis worker Elsa Vuorenmaa focused on color stripping of reactive-dyed cotton, while summer intern María Fernanda Rivera Ledesmaexplored stripping processes for vat-dyed fabrics. Intern Isla Lizett Rodríguez Bandacomplemented this by presenting treatment strategies for disperse dye removal from polyester waste.
• Biobased surface treatments: PhD scholar Esubalew Kasaw shared his findings on hydrophobization using biobased techniques.
• Innovative coloration methods: Master’s thesis worker Lotta Loikkanen presented her work on textile coloration using bio-based dyes.
• Recycling and circularity: Postdoctoral researcher Md. Reazuddin Repon highlighted his contribution to the EU-funded BIOSUSTEX Project, developing methods to remove color and elastane from post-consumer cellulose.
• Sustainable fibres and recycling: PhD scholar Olamide Badara discussed the development of nonwovens from sustainable fibers.
• Sustainable recycling: PhD scholar Tonmoy Saha presented chemical processing methods for recycled textile fibers.
• Agro-Waste Utilization: PhD scholar Ritesh Sharma demonstrated approaches for valorizing agricultural waste to functionalize cellulosic textiles.
• Multifunctional Textiles: PhD scholar Vafa Fakhri presented his work on multifunctional bio-based textiles.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Professor Ali Tehrani congratulated all participants on their progress, noting the breadth of innovative approaches aimed at tackling pressing sustainability challenges in the textile sector. He emphasized that the collective research efforts contribute to advancing circularity, reducing environmental impact, and paving the way for bio-based solutions in textiles.

The annual meeting reaffirmed the group’s commitment to developing eco-friendly technologies and highlighted the crucial role of young researchers and collaborators in shaping a sustainable textile future.