BIOPOLISHING

BIOPOLISHING
• Here we use cellulases again to attack and
weaken the cellulose fibres.
• Any fibres protruding for the surface of the
garment are weakened and exposed and prone to
being broken.
• Enzyme action alone is not enough to cause the
breakage – mechanical action is also needed.
Either the action of fabric in jet, or in tumble
drying.
BIOPOLISH
• Process to attack the surface of the garment to remove
hairiness, pilling
• creates smooth surface
Often called
 Anti pill wash
 De-pill wash
 Flat wash
 Biopolishing

• for BIOPOLISHING WASHING - ACID

CELLULASES are used
Fibrillated cotton Biopolished
cotton

The effect on
the fabric surface
ACID CELLULASE
• Working range pH 4.5 – 5.5
• Strong –medium action attack on cotton
(cellulose) fibre
– Attacks cotton fibres on surface of jean
– Causes surface fibres to break and detach
– Creates smooth
• Usually in liquid form and un-buffered
• Must be “killed”
– By alkalinity
– Raise temp above 70 ºC
Commonly known as “flat washing”.
• Often done after garment dyeing to clean up the garment
• Also done to soften up garments
• Possible problems
Change of shade
Loss of fastness
Loss of strength
Damage to threads/sewings
Weakening of seams
Bursts.
• Bio-polishing is a finishing process for cellulosic fabrics and
garments.
• It is the process of improving surface of the material. It is also an
‘Enzymatic singeing’.
• Bio-polishing with acid cellulose effectively reduces fabric fuzz
and the pilling on denim materials.
A cellulosic treatment gives the fabric a durable improvement of:
• Resistance to pilling
• A clear lint and fuzz free surface structure
• Bio-polished garment looks new even after repeated wear
• Bio-polishing permanently enhances fabric look without any
chemical coating biopolishing improves drapebility and softness.
• The fabric surface obtains a silky sheen similar to that resulting
from traditional mercerisation