Genencor Develops Eco-Friendly Enzyme For Denim Bleaching And Shading

Genencor – a manufacturer of enzyme product solutions for a variety of industries, and division of
Denmark-based Danisco A/S – has introduced PrimaGreen® EcoFade LT100 for the textile industry. The
enzyme, suitable for denim bleaching and shading, incorporates a new laccase and new mediator into
a single product that comes ready-to-use. According to the company, PrimaGreen EcoFade LT100 allows
textile manufacturers to perform bleaching operations at low temperatures and neutral pHs, which
reduces chemical and rinse water use and also saves energy. The product is the first in a planned
series of textile processing solutions from Genecor to help improve the sustainability of the wet
processing sector.

“We estimate that with the new technology, textile processors can save up to 90 percent of
heating energy used today in the denim bleaching process,” said Glenn Nedwin, executive vice
president of Genencor’s Technical Enzyme Business Unit. “We believe this represents a significant
cost saving, which can be further enhanced by combining the low temperature cellulase technology of
the Genecor IndiAge Super products. This means that the whole process of abrasion, shade adjustment
and bleaching of denim can be done without any need for heat and/or steaming in the process. Lower
energy consumption also means about 90-percent lower [carbon dioxide] emissions from the same
process stage.”

Because certain components used in this new laccase/mediator product are awaiting regulatory
approval in various regions, the product currently is available on a geographically limited basis.

February 17, 2009

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