The decolorization of a cotton fabric dyed with a reactive dye (C.I. Reactive Black 5) was studied using an optimized ozone-assisted process at pilot scale. Box–Behnken design was used to evaluate the effects of three parameters on the decolorization of the dyed textile, namely, pH of the treatment (3–7), ozone concentration (5–85 g/m³ of ozone), and treatment time (10–50 min). The fitted mathematical model allowed us to plot response surfaces as well as isoresponse curves and to determine optimal decolorization conditions. In this study, we have proposed a pilot-scale machine which utilizes ozone for the color stripping of the dyed cotton. This pilot-scale application opens up the route for application of ozone at an industrial scale for achieving sustainability in the textile industry.

The purpose of this work was to investigate how nonwoven fabrics absorb and diffuse liquids and to define relevant diffusion parameters, with a special focus on the influence of fiber diameter on the diffusion process. The nonwoven structures studied were composed of polyester fibers of different diameters and were manufactured with a drylaid/needlepunching process. The liquid diffusion properties were evaluated with decane, a perfectly wetting liquid. Two methods based on vertical wicking (one direction) and absorption capacity measurements were used. The vertical wicking test results showed that finer fibers led to higher capillary absorption ability, but to the detriment of liquid absorption rate. Blending two fibers of different diameters improved the liquid retention behavior, while maintaining absorption rates that were equivalent to nonwovens with the coarser fibers. Finally, the different results obtained in the two experimental methods for the liquid filling ratio are discussed.

Design for longevity is known as an eco-design opportunity and could help to reduce the environmental footprint of energy-free items. However, extending the lifespan of products is not always desirable and the focus should be on achieving an optimal lifespan. Operationally, recommendations for design for longevity usually refer to durability, repairability, upgradability or emotional attachment. The use of high-quality and robust material is frequently stated, although it is not obvious what high-quality material is. Based on a quality by design approach, this study aims to propose a methodology to design for optimal longevity with a consumer-oriented approach. To do so, it includes data collection of product quality and manufacturing processes and then embeds consumers’ knowledge. These are combined into data analysis to help to highlight relationships and the most appropriate quality contributors. This methodology relies on three-steps: first, a single quality score which includes consumers’ knowledge; secondly, a multi-scale reverse-engineering process; and finally a data analysis using principal component analysis. The originality of such a proposal is that it enables the consumers’ knowledge to be considered in the identification of appropriated quality contributors. The proposed methodology is implemented in the fashion sector as it is said to be the second most polluting one. Moreover, given the huge variety of materials and production processes available in textiles, the selection of the most suitable recommendations to support a longer lifespan is very complex. The presented case study involves 29 T-shirts and reveals the mechanical-related strengths to be the main quality contributors.

Research approaches on the use of ecotechnologies like ozone assisted processes for the decolorization of textiles are being explored as against the conventional alkaline reductive process for the color stripping of the cotton textiles. The evaluation of these ecotechnologies must be performed to assess the environmental impacts. Partial “gate to gate” Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was implemented to study the ozone based decolorization process of the reactive dyed cotton textiles. Experiments were performed to determine input and output data flows for decolorization treatment of reactive dyed cotton textile using the ozonation process. The functional unit was defined as “treatment of 40 g of reactive dyed cotton fabric to achieve more than 94% color stripping”. Generic and specific data bases were also used to determine flows, and International Life Cycle Data system (ILCD) method was selected to convert all flows into environmental impacts. The impact category “Water resource depletion” is the highest for all the ozonation processes as it has the greatest relative value after normalization amongst all the impact indicators. Electricity and Oxygen formation were found to be the major contributors to the environmental impacts. New experimental conditions have been studied to optimize the impacts.