Advances in Natural Dyeing of Hemp - An approach Towards Sustainability
Krishnaraj G, Gokarneshan N*, Jothimanikandan A, Periyasamy P, Ponmaniselvam M, Sridhar K, Saravanan N and Asma M
ABSTRACT
Using more sustainable materials and products, the textile sector has been able to contribute to the circular economy. Moreover, the textile industry is witnessing a paradigm shift for more sustainable production methods due to enhanced environmental restrictions and rising consumer preferences for eco-friendly textile products by using the natural fibres and natural dyes. Petroleum-derived synthetic colourants are being used extensively in the textile industry due to their wide colour range, fastness, and affordability which resulted utilisation of significant amounts of fossil fuels and resources. In result, synthetic colours contribute to pollution problems and some of them are even hazardous. Industries are actively seeking alternate approaches to mitigate the detrimental impact of manufactured colourants and chemicals on the environment and human health. This article comprehensively reviews the significant developments in the dyeing of hemp with natural dyes. Several plants like inula, agro-food industry leftovers (chestnut and onion), and logwood and madder have been used for dyeing hemp textiles and examined colour strength and the UV protection characteristics which is the growing demand of "eco-friendly" market. Further, Various natural dye extracts such as calendula (Calendula Officialis), common madder (Rubia Tinctorum L.), pomegranate peel extracts (Punica granatum) and dried Buddleja officinalis flower extracts have been utilised for dyeing the hemp fabrics with various metallic, natural mordants with different mordanting condition and assessed the various parameters like colour strength (K/S), colour fastness properties. The dyed fabrics from pomegranate peel extracts have shown significant antibacterial activity and good colour fastness against laundering, water, sea water, and perspiration. Efforts are underway to utilise natural dyes in order to achieve comparable outcomes to those achieved with synthetic dyes. Understanding the various natural materials for dyeing the Hemp and their characteristics provides a new insight for the dyeing industry and inspiring to carry out the research in similar natural materials.
