As a pioneer in sustainable textile innovation, Sun Tekstil has taken another giant step within the scope of the sustainability goals of the European Union. With the Tornado Project, two new bio-based water and oil repellent chemicals obtained from vegetable oils will be used in the production of textile products.
The Tornado Project aims to contribute to the transition to a more safer circular economy by selecting how high-performance technical textiles should be designed, produced and used in a more environmentally friendly and sustainable manner.
Melis Vekiloğlu, General Manager of Sun Tekstil and Member of the Board of Directors, said, “As Sun Tekstil, we have taken a big step in developing processes, methods and end products that comply with some strict regulations that are required within the scope of the sustainability goals of the European Union. For the European Commission project, which is aimed to be completed within 36 months by 14 partners from five different countries, Sun Tekstil's grant share will be 297,875 Euros.’’
Underlining that the Tornado Project incorporates the goal of "Safe and sustainable new ways for bio-based water and oil repellent coatings" Vekiloğlu said, "The project is supported by the European Commission within the scope of the Horizon Europe Program, which is carried out by the European Commission to bring life to the technology vision of Europe. In order to implement the objectives of the Tornado Project, a project consortium was formed consisting of 14 organizations from five different countries that also includes us. Within the scope of the Tornado Project, whose official start date was set out as January 1, 2023, new, bio-based and non-toxic coating chemicals with high water and oil repellency will be developed in accordance with safe and sustainable design criteria. New coatings that are in suggestion for the development and use will be much compatible for recycling in comparison to its counterparts that does not contain fluorine and also with much lesser effect on human health and the environment than its fluorine-containing associates.’’
Environmental Impact in Technical Textiles
Providing information about the details of the project, Vekiloğlu said, “Water and oil repellent featured fabrics are frequently used especially in the production of technical textiles. For the manufacture of such products, chemicals containing fluorine are suitable to achieve higher repellency performance. On the other hand, fluorine-containing compounds that provide high performance; accumulates in human and animal bodies, soil, air and water in time. Therefore, these chemicals may have many negative effects on humans and the environment in the long run. Within the scope of the project, two new bio-based water and oil repellent chemicals obtained from vegetable oils will be developed. These new chemicals are in subject to the usability and performance evaluation in packaging, kitchenware and textile sector. As Sun Tekstil, we will make use of the chemicals developed in the production of textile products. These safe and sustainable chemicals and the fabrics treated with these chemicals are expected to demonstrate same performance with their fluorine-containing counterparts. Thus, we aim to create a greater environmental impact, especially in the field of technical textiles. The products developed can also apply to active wear collections or outerwear products where water repellency is required. With the numerical simulations and mathematical models to be created within the scope of the project, significant contributions will be made to scientific development."
About Sun Tekstil A.Ş: Ranked amongst 312th among Turkey's top 500 industrial enterprises, Sun Tekstil designs, produces, supplies and sells women's clothing collections as the solution partner of global brands operating in the ready-to-wear retail industry since its establishment in 1987. It produces more than 3 million products per month, develops 1500 new designs, and exports more than 90 percent of its production through its two production facilities and apparel suppliers in İzmir and Manisa. With the global network of the brands under it representation, with its products meet consumers in nearly 100 countries, Sun Tekstil has two subsidiaries as a fabric producer with Ekoten Tekstil brand in İzmir, and as a Sun Textile LTD. UK. brand that established in the UK. Sun Tekstil started to be traded on Borsa İstanbul Yıldız Market on May 20, 2022.
