Archroma launches vegan plant-based textile softener

Textile chemicals specialist, Archroma, has launched a new vegan textile softener- Earth Soft. Archroma’s Earth Soft is a revolutionary softening system for textile and fashion applications based on Siligen® EH1, a vegan silicone softener with 35% plant-based active content.

Siligen® EH1 is the most recent in a series of plant-based innovations developed by Archroma in recent years, including EarthColors® dyes and Appretan® NTR binders, as alternatives offered to manufacturers and brands looking to reduce the use of fossil fuel-based ingredients without compromising performance.

More than 35% of the active content of the Siligen® EH1 softener is derived from plant-based, renewable raw materials. Furthermore, the product contains ultralow cyclic siloxanes (D4, D5, D6), which are categorized as Substances of Very High Concern by the European Chemicals Agency due to their extremely persistent and bioaccumulative qualities.

Siligen® EH1 is great for shirts, underwear, sportswear, towels, and bedsheets, delivering exceptional wearing comfort with superior moisture conveyance and a smooth and soft touch.

The new softener and the Earth Soft system is excellent for both woven and knitted articles and can be used in padding or exhaust operations due to their high shear stability and low foaming profile. Because it does not promote thermomigration or phenolic yellowing, it can be used on white goods as well as those treated with optical brighteners.

Paul Cowell, head of competence centers for brand and performance textile specialties at Archroma, said that the new Earth Soft system based on Siligen® EH1 softener adds to their growing portfolio of natural and renewable plant-based resource-based technologies. Archroma’s new breakthrough innovation assists them and their textile and apparel sector partners in reducing their reliance on petroleum fossil fuel products.