Prof Dr Marc Van Parys Nazareth 3.06.

2003

Technical
Technical Textiles
Textiles

Growth Growth
95 - 00 2000 00 - 05 2005
Transportation 14% 13‘082 10% 14‘365
Industrial 23% 9‘294 24% 11‘556
Home furnishings 24% 7‘784 24% 9‘678
Medical & Hygiene 17% 7‘818 22% 9‘526
Clothing & other 12% 6‘794 12% 7‘624
Agriculture & Fish. 23% 4‘255 16% 4‘944
Building & Constr. 27% 3‘387 27% 4‘316
Packaging 29% 2‘324 25% 2‘915
Geotextiles 59% 1‘857 43% 2‘656
Sports & Leisure 30% 2‘034 23% 2‘505
Protective Clothing 37% 1‘643 36% 2‘227
Total Source: Rigby & Ass. 21% 60‘272 20% 72‘330

1
 Agrotextile

Monofilament
Woven fabrics
Multifilament
Knitted materials
Spun yarns
Interlaced materials
Tapes
Nonwovens
Split film yarns

(circular loom for

bags)

Technical
Technical Textiles
Textiles
Agrotextile
Agrotextile

Natural fibres Synthetic fibres

CO, sisal, jute, flax… PO (PE,PP), PES, PA…
Property PP Cloth Jute Cloth
Economics good variable
Availability good good
Physical strength good good
Weather resistance good fair
Rot resistance good poor
Reuse good potentially good
Coefficient of friction satisfactory good
Aesthetic appearance good limited
Ease of handling good good

2
 Main drawbacks:
• U.V.-, weather-, ozone-stability
• FR-behaviour PP
• high creep
• high fibrillation
• low sticking/melting point
• low heat stability
Basic advantages:
• economics
• light weight and softness
• possibility of multiple use (recycling)
• ageing resistance
• resistance against micro-organisms
• tear resistance ( wind )
• can absorb more work than any other textile fibre
• option of choosing the reaction with water
( repulsion, absorption, permeability )
• vapour permeability
• after puncture does not tear
• suitable for welding and sewing

Agrotextile,
Agrotextile, ropes,
ropes, twines,
twines, nets
nets
PE,PP
1000 tons

PP MF CF Spunbond SF Split film, Total

meltblown tapes or
fibrillated

• Consumption 10 10 41 15 30 106(6,5%)
in agro-/geotextile
• Ropes, twines, nets 10 8 92 110 (7%)

Ropes/twines
Total: 154.000 tons PP 110.000 tons
PE 54.000 tons
9.000 tons PA, PES

3
 APPLICATIONS
APPLICATIONS OF
OF
KNITTED
KNITTED AGROTEXTILES
AGROTEXTILES
Estimated European consumption : 45.000 tonnes
Knitted technical textiles have <10 % of the fibres
consumed by technical usage

Packing of hay-bales - 20.000 tonnes/year

- 3 à 4% annual growth

HDPE strips (Raschel knitted nets) in hay baling

1 . Security (reliability when rolling, increased density,

better handling compared to cords, strings)
2 . Speed (easy & speedy usage)
3 . Savings (time-, energy-saving, better conservation of
the fodder, etc. compared to the classic twines)

4
 APPLICATIONS
APPLICATIONS OF
OF
KNITTED
KNITTED AGROTEXTILES
AGROTEXTILES
Growth Prospects
KNITTED NETS - Rachel types

Packing of hay-bales
Protection nets
ADVANTAGES of knitted nets:
1 . high production speed
2 . low costs
3 . run-proof structure made of either
* HDPE monofilaments
-> UV-& break resistance
or * PE tapes
->good covering facility with extreme
light fastness

APPLICATIONS
APPLICATIONS OF
OF
KNITTED
KNITTED AGROTEXTILES
AGROTEXTILES
PROTECTION NETS HDPE

Weight range
g / m2

 Against birds 10-20

 Anti-hail nets 35-60
 Wind-protection nets 60-160
 Shading nets 50-85
 Protection nets against insects 50-120
 Support nets for climbing 9-10
flowers & vegetables
 Nets for fruit collection

5
Anti-hail fabric prevents hail from reaching the
plants and harvest losses. They are normally
used on horticultural crops in greenhouses,
although they are recommended for any crop in
areas where there is the risk of hail. Is used for
hail protection in small areas of cultivation and
can be placed on simples support structures.
High-density PE or PP netting, super-stabilized
against UV rays.

6
 PA
HDPE (monofil.) Woven/knitting
PP

Insect net is an essential fabric for

your integrated pest management
program. It allows the reduction of
chemical pesticide applications &
mesh: 16x16, 24x24, 32x32, 50x50.
keep the greenhouse productive & 16/10, 20/10
increase the room temperature. yard diameter: 0.16mm-0.30mm.
Different meshes offer protection colour: neutral white, green, black,
against different types of insects, silver gray.
material: monofil HDPE.
& its transparent white colour stabilization: U.V. stabilized at
allows maximum light to reach the longevity over 4 year
plants.

7
 Olive net:

Olive collecting nets are woven and

knitted with high endurance. The
material is MONOFILAMENT PE or PP
netting, light, soft to the hand and easy
to lay and gather.

NONWOVENS
NONWOVENS

SPUNBONDING

MELTBLOWING

NEEDLE-PUNCHED

8
 Meltblown
Meltblown Process
Process

Mit freundlicher Genehmigung der

Firma Reifenhäuser

Spunbond
Spunbond Process
Process

9
 Spunbond
Spunbond Process
Process
Polymer A Polymer B Polymer C Polymer

Spin die

Filament A Filament B
Filaments

Nonwoven formation

Bicomponent fibres
Bifilsystem

Agriculture-
Agriculture- nonwoven
nonwoven

 Crop cover
 Frost protection
 Landscape fabric
 Green house shading
 Mulching
 Hobby gardening
 Insect protection
 Weed control
 Seed blanket
 Capillary matting
 Root bag
…

10
 Agriculture-
Agriculture- nonwoven
nonwoven
PROPERTIES

 Transmits the sunlight

 Preserve heat in soil
 Air permeable
 Hydrophobic or hydrophylic
 Resistant to UV light
 (Resistant to ozone)
 Prevents dripping
 Easy installing (low weight)

Nonwoven for
Needle-punched non- drainage
woven fabrics are applications
specially designed for
appropriate filtration,
drainage needs in different
soil conditions.
They offer excellent
permeability and retention
of fine fibres under
conditions of medium to
high water flow.
Pore opening size remains
consistent even under
high hydraulic pressure.

11
 • Nonwoven < weight up to 50 g/m2 is ideal for
covering and protecting arable plants. After covering
with nonwoven a microclimate a very favourable for
vegetation is created

• Nonwoven weight <50 - 100< g/m2 is used as

covering of plants, which vegetation ends late
autumn. Nonwoven fight extreme temperature
differences, cope with frosty wind, pests etc.

• Nonwoven weight >100 g/m2 & darker colour

protects green houses from excessive sun and heat

Fibres
Fibres &
& tapes
tapes from
from films
films
Jute,
Jute, manila,
manila, hemp
hemp replacement
replacement Markets
Markets

Main
Main advantages:
advantages:
-- cheap
cheap
-- ease
ease of
of manufacturing
manufacturing

 Vegetable,
Vegetable, packaging
packaging bags,
bags, sacks
sacks

 Greenhouse
Greenhouse shades shades

 Ropes,
Ropes, twines,
twines, cordage
cordage (compared
(comparedto
toextruded
extrudedfibres)
fibres)

high
highstrength
strength

less
lessextensible
extensible
 stiffer
 stiffer

high
highkink
kinkresistance
resistance

12
 Agrotextile
Agrotextile versus
versus
Plastic
Plastic Film
Film
MERITS
MERITS of
of WOVEN
WOVEN TEXTILE:
TEXTILE:


 Makes
Makes soil
soil airing
airing possible
possible

 Improves
Improves the humus formation
the humus formation

 Permeable
Permeable toto water
water

Can be used for vegetable garden

plants (strawberry, tomato, melon,
cucumber…) & ornamental
shrubbery

Ground cover
special porous material woven from especially long-lasting PP/PE-
tapes

• Agrotextile prevents weed growth because of block out sunlight and

reduces photosynthesis.
• Agrotextile´s construction allows water to penetrate into soil and
maintains soil humidity during dry periods by reducing evaporation.
• Agrotextile environmentally friendly reduces the need for
herbicides and other weed controls.
- Based on requirement of customer agrotextile can be woven with
coloured tapes endlong or with coloured checked pattern.

CHARACTERISTICS: TYPES:
- Resistant to UV-radiation A 90 - 90g/m2
- Resistant to attack by mildew and bacteria A100 - 100g/m2, A130 -
130g/m2

APPLICATION POSSIBILITIES
Agrotextile can be used inside greenhouses as well as in the open
air, to keep areas safe and tidy.
Agrotextile improves plant growth and crops in the orchards.

13
CROP
CROP COVER
COVER

14
 Example

Black mulching textile

mulching can successfully be

used for vegetables, mainly
tomatoes, cucumbers, paprika’s
& strawberries, in nursery
gardens & vineyards. Using black
textile with others advantages
eliminate nearly every weeds &
increase weeds infestation

15
White covering textile
has an universal use in crop growing. Its application is very
effective for an acceleration of the first vegetables harvest.
Textile has a high light transmittance, during vegetation creates
an optimal microclimate for plant growth and development.
Growing time is reduced by 2-3 weeks. Textile improves
wintering of those kinds of vegetables, which winter, it protects
plants against weather changes, strong wind, hailstones and
pests,which do not winter in soil

Ropes
Ropes -- Cordage
Cordage -- Twines
Twines
Principal Requirements of a fibre to be used in making ropes for
maritime, agricultural use are:
@ high strength (wet & dry)
@ resistance to repeated loading and flexing
@ resistance to abrasion
@ minimum water absorption
@ lightness
@ (resistance to weathering, micro-organism, other degradative
agents)

 Staple fibres
 Multifilament yarns
 (coarse) Fibrillated film yarns
 Split fibre yarns
 Monofilaments

16
 PP/PE
PP/PE -- Ropes
Ropes
Staple fibre yarn @ replacing jute, sisal, manila
@ available in length & linear density to
match the natural fibres
@ processable directly on rope-making
machinery
Multifilament yarns (Mfy) @ expensive
Monofilaments (MoF)
Split fibre yarns @ alternative for sisal in agricultural
baler
Fibrillated-tape yarns @ cheaper (equivalent linear density)
than SF & MFy & MoF
Remarks: a) breaking strength & resistance to extension is
favourable for all 5 kinds of PP/PE ropes
b) ropes may differ in kink-, abrasion resistance &
flexural fatique
c) common causes of failure are frictional melting @
abrasion

Fishing Gears
Fishing Gears
FISHNETS - TRAWLS - LINES

@ FIBRE TYPE
• Past: CO, manila & other natural fibres
• Present: synthetics
@ PA & HD PE & (especially) PP
(due to its a unique combination of properties
rather than the low cost, fixed nets are secure
& stable in the water)
@ Dyneema (UHMW)
@ BIOPOL (PHB)
@ SUBSTRATES
Fishnets - twines @ CF
@ Film-yarn forms
@ Monofilament

17
 Fishing Gears
Fishing Gears
Differences between
Multifilament-, Film-yarns & Monofilaments
a) extension at break
b) initial resistance to stretch,
c) flexibility,
d) buoyancy
e) knot slippage (results in meshes varying in size)

COMMENTS
1. Fishnets from monofil have properties similar to equivalent
multifil nets but a higher resistance to abrasion & (usually) a
stiffer hand
2. Fishnets from film yarns generally have a higher bulk & are
less resistant to abrasion compared to mono- & multifil. yarns
3. Knot slippage problem is peculiar to mono- & multifil.yarns

Fishing Gears
Fishing Gears
Problems:
a ) KNOT Slippage
1. Fishnets from multifil. Need stabilisation by means of net-
stretching or dipping of both in a knot-bonding medium
2. Fishnets made from film yarn do not normally require more
than net-stretching to ensure adequate knot stability (reason:
high surface friction of the netting twines)
b) CREEP (during trawling or snagging conditions)
(industrial fishing nets)
1. Incorporation of functional additives
2. Copolymerisation
3. Cross-linking
4. Mixing different polymers (e.g. PP+PE, PP+PS)

18
NETS
To avoid
slippage

Before fusion After fusion

NETS FOR
NETS FOR BETTER
BETTER CATCHES
CATCHES USING
USING
SPECIALTY FIBRES
SPECIALTY FIBRES (Dyneema)
(Dyneema)

..KNOTTED
KNOTTED (FORMING
(FORMING AA MESH
MESH STRUCTURE)
STRUCTURE)
.. RASCHEL
RASCHEL WARP
WARP KNITTED
KNITTED

Fibre Density Tensile Tenacity Elongation

Strength
(g/cm ) N/mm2
3 N/Tex %

Dyneema SK60 0.97 2 700 2,8 3.5

Dyneema SK65 0.97 3 000 3,1 3,6
Dyneema SK75 0,97 3 700 3.5 3,7
PES HT 1.38 1 100 0,8 13
PA HT 1.14 900 0.8 20
PE 0.95 475 0.5 25
Steel 7.86 1 770 0.2 1.1

19
 FISHING
FISHING NETS
NETS

DYNEEMA VERSUS PA
CHARACTERISTICS IMPROVEMENT

DIAMETER TWINES - 50 %
DRAG of the NET - 30 %
NET OPENING + 40%
FISHING EFFICIENCY + 80 %

MAN-MADE
MAN-MADE GRASS
GRASS -- ARTIFICIAL
ARTIFICIAL TURF
TURF
• Sport stadium (football, tennis courts, hockey,golf…)
• Ski slopes, snowboarding
• Use in grassless areas (city playgrounds)
• Highway central reservations, service stations, &
other landscaped areas
• Artificial garden
• Artificial display grass…

20
 ARTIFICIAL
ARTIFICIAL TURF
TURF
Looks like grass…Feels like grass…Plays like grass

ARTIFICIAL
ARTIFICIAL TURF
TURF

PA - PE - PP or blend (fibrillated film yarn) + water permeable backing

(SBR) (sandfilled or non-sandfilled turf)
Pile heights: 10-50 mm
Pile weights: 500-2000 g/m2
Shortcomings Counteraction
@ Durable
 UV-stabilisation UV-stabilisation (HALS)
 Fibrillation Anti-fibrillating additives
@ FR-retardancy FR-additives
@ Comfort, security Functional additives (lower friction)
elastic, shock absorbing (f.e. silicones)
no risk of turf-burn injuries

21
ARTIFICIAL
ARTIFICIAL
TTuurrff

ASTRO- turf

DEGRADABLE
DEGRADABLE FIBRES
FIBRES

@
@ BIOdegradable
BIOdegradable @
@ UV-degradable
UV-degradable

@ Natural Fibres @ Ecolyte copolymers

@ Incorporation of functional
additives based on:
@ starch
@ Synthetic Fibres @ non-starch

22
 SYNTHETIC
SYNTHETICBIOPOLYMERS
BIOPOLYMERS

SYNTHETIC
SYNTHETICBIOPOLYMERS
BIOPOLYMERS

•depolymerisation usually by enzymes

or microorganisms (hydrolyse or oxidation)
• most are hydrophilic, made up of short, flexible
chains with low level of crystallisation - often
backbones with O & N links or pendant groups
containing O or N

23
Biopolymers
Biopolymers
‘holy
‘holy grail
grail of
of current
current research
research
 Polyhydroxy alkanoates (PHA)
( inclusive PHB & PHV)
 Polymer derivatives based on
lactic acid, polysaccharides, chitine,
alginates, dextranes, hyaluronic acid,
caprolactone

Polylactic acid
(fermentation of lactic acid)
 Thermoplast - 185 °C
 Convertible into nonwovens by dry-, wet-,
air-, & spunmelt-laying systems
 Fully degradable under compsoting conditions
 Applications
diapers, medical textile, socks, geotextile,
civil engineering, agrotextile...
Degradation by micro-organisms
oligo lactic acid degradation products
(stimulating the grow of plants)

24
Number of months required for treatment

25
 Ecological
Ecological aspects
aspects -- UV-Degradable
UV-Degradable
Polymers
Polymers :: Ecolyte
Ecolyte polymers
polymers

1. Chemical incorporation of U.V.-sensitive monomers -

copolymers with f.e. phenyl-vinyl ketone (0,2-8 %)
O

hν
O

2. Physical incorporation of “Photo-activators”

f.e. Fe-dibutyl-dithiocarbamate, starch additives

Biodegradable materials
For agriculture/forestry materials
-Seedling pots, animal prevention nets, weed prevention bags, etc.

Plant Mat Plant Protector

Animal prevention net for

young trees

26
 Bio-Degradable
Bio-DegradableFood
FoodContainers
Containers
Made
MadeFrom
FromCorn
Corn
A new kind of food container that can break down as
compost in the garden has replaced plastic containers.
stores are containers made from corn. They look just
like common plastic, but are 100% bio-degradable.
the initial markets to carry them as a replacement for
the plastic containers that have been used in the deli.
But there are limitations. The bio-degradable
containers are not to be micro waved or used with hot
food. They can be composted at home

BioFibres
BioFibres -- SAF-Fibres
SAF-Fibres
• Lanseal-F (Toyobo), which are advanced polymers and are used
as water-blocking materials for cables in civil engineering and
construction applications;
• Mois-Care (Toyobo) — high-hygroscopic fibres, which absorb
moisture and generate heat. Toyobo is expanding the range of
applications for Mois-Care from the initial area of sportswear to
encompass automotive uses, underwear, bedding and industrial
materials, inclusive agrotextile
•Camelot Superabsorbents
•Bayer's BAK™ (Bayer), a polyester amide polymer is based on
hexamethylene diamine, butane diol and adipic acid. Butane diol is
also the basis for Bionolle™, Showa Polymer's biodegradable
synthetic
•BIOMAX™ (DuPont) is said to be based on 3 proprietary aliphatic
polyesters and costs only slightly more than conventional PET
•EASTAR BIO™ (EASTMAN) is a copolyester based on
terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol
•OASIS (ACORDIS)
•BELLOASIS (Kanebo)
•SORBFRESH (LYSORB) - natural polysaccharide
•…

27
 Superabsorbent
Superabsorbent Fibres/Polymers
Fibres/Polymers

@
@ SNAP
SNAP (Safe
(Safe && Natural
Natural Absorbent
Absorbent Polymers)
Polymers)

@
@ SYNTHETIC
SYNTHETIC FIBRES
FIBRES

Superabsorbent
Superabsorbent Fibres/Polymers
Fibres/Polymers
SAF SAP

AIMS :
• Reduce the germination of potatos (bags/sacks)

• Water-management materials for agriculture &

horticulture purposes in desert & drought-prone areas
 Retention of water in the soil
 Growth of groundnut plants

28
Stimuli Sensitive Polymers Examples:
2nd & 3th generation Poly acrylic Acid
N-isopropylacrylamide
Polyethyleneglycol
SSP-layer
SSP-layer Active species
 Sense to the environmental
conditions through stimuli
Textile
Textilesubstrate
substrate
Swelling
Swelling sensitive orT-, pH-, electro-
active response coatings
Swollen  Controlled-delivery &
Changes release of functional
Changesin in substances (drugs,nutrients,
T,
T,pH,
pH,
electrolytes perfums...)
electrolytes

Collapsed SSP
TT

Repulsion
Repulsion Mechanism
Mechanism in
in SSPs
SSPs
CHITOSAN

pH + +

pH
+ +
NH3 NH3

1 2

29
 Stimuli
Stimuli Sensitive
Sensitive Polymers
Polymers

• Poly(acrylic acid) • pH,

• Poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) electrolytes
• Poly(acrylamide)
• Poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) • T
• Polyelectrolyte gels
• Chitosan (Cationic polymers)
• PEGs

Swelling
1000
1000

-(CH
-(CH -- CH)-
CH)- -(CH
-(CH -- CH)-
CH)-
--
800
800

COOH
COOH COO
COO
600
600
Swelling
400
PAA grafted PP
400

200
200

00 22 44 5 66 88 1010 1212 1414

pH ofpHpHswelling
ofofswelling
solution
swellingsolution
solution

UNITEX-2OO1

30
 Stimuli Sensitive Polymers
Conventional SSPs PEG based SSPs
• Amorphous & glassy • PEGs are rubbers that
hydrogels in the dry (xerogel) nevertheless can be
state (exception poly(vinyl highly crystalline
alcohol) glassy & crystalline)
• Don’t withstand the stress of
aqueous swelling without
significant risk of surface • Withstand the stress of
cracking aqueous swelling - no
• Less biocompatible cracking

• Very biocompatible

HYDROGEL - SSP

SSmmaarrtt
self-watering
self-watering
system
system for for
ppllaannttss
WATER
WATER IN
IN WATER
WATER OUT
OUT

31
 Stimuli Sensitive Coatings

Smart
Smart Applications
Applications
Optical fibres
• Smart Coats
• ‘ChemicalLiquid
valve’ - releasing/delivering
drugs, dyestuffs, vitamins, nutrients…
1st barrier layer
• Modification the dischargeSSP-coated
Optical cables of physiologically
active agents 2nd barrier layer
• Artificial muscles for robots
• Water purification systems
• Leak detection systems (optical fibres)
•…

Insect- & antimicrobial protection

Material max. organic acids alkalis oxidizing micro-
temp. °C solvents organic mineral agents organisms

cotton 121 excellent good poor good fair poor

PP 95 Microbes
good -
excellent bacteria, virus,
excellent excellent good excellent
glass fibre 400 fungi & yeast
excellent excellent excellent* poor excellent excellent
PA 135 excellent fair poor good poor excellent
viscose 122 excellent good poor good fair poor

* except hydrofluoric acid

32
 How
How can
can antimicrobials
antimicrobials be
be
applied?
applied?
Topical finish Nanoencapsulated
finish

Chemically
bonded finish Exhaust finish

Non-migrating Migrating

Antibacterial
Antibacterial Agrotextiles
Agrotextiles

33
 CHROMIC INKS
FRAGRANCES
AIR FRESHENERS
AROMATHERAPY OILS
ANTI-MICROBIAL AGENTS
ANTI-FUNGAL AGENTS
DEODORANTS
INSECT REPELLENTS
MOISTURISERS
VITAMINS
SKIN CONDITIONERS

Nano- & Micro encapsulation

Before wrapping After wrapping - release

of active ingredient

34
 Electro
Electro conducting
conducting &
& Heating
Heating substrates
substrates
• Antistatic Big Bags (FIBC) e.g. for
transport of grain (in order to eliminate
electro staticity during loading)

• Heating Textile
pain relieving properties of INFRA-RED
THERAPY to restore their animals to
peak performance. The gentle healing
effect of the warmth emitted by the
heating fibre used in the INFRA-THERM
substrate penetrate deep into the muscle
tissue to increase blood flow to injured
and painful areas. That uplift in
circulation brings with it nature's building
blocks that help to re-generate the
damaged tissue
(serial connection)
• HOT Fibres (Cu-coated fibres)
UNITEX, 23-01-03

•Voordelen Bekinox®
•Voordelen Bekinox® t.o.v.
t.o.v. klassieke
klassieke
producten
producten
Koper,
Koper,Carbon
Carbon Bekinox
Bekinox®®
koper
koperisistetegeleidend
geleidendvoor
voorparallelschakelingen
parallelschakelingen goede
goedegeleiding
geleiding
220V
220V 12V
12V
minder
mindervlugge
vluggeopwarming
opwarming vlugge
vluggeopwarming
opwarming
laag
laagrendement
rendement hoog
hoogrendement
rendement
isolerende
isolerendebeschermlaag
beschermlaagnoodzakelijk
noodzakelijk geen
geenbeschermlaag
beschermlaagnodig
nodig
breekbaar
breekbaar sterk
sterk
broos
broos niet
nietbroos
broos
minder
mindergoede
goedebuigweerstand
buigweerstand goede
goedebuigweerstand
buigweerstand
electrocutiegevaar
electrocutiegevaar geen
geen
brandgevaar
brandgevaar geen
geen
niet
nietwasbaar
wasbaar wasbaar
wasbaar
moeilijk
moeilijkteteintegreren
integreren weven
wevenen enbreien
breienmogelijk
mogelijk
afzonderlijk
afzonderlijkverwarmingselement
verwarmingselement geïntegreerd
geïntegreerdverwarmingselement
verwarmingselement
goed
goedvoelbaar
voelbaar bijna
bijnaniet
nietvoelbaar
voelbaar

UNITEX, 23-01-03

35
FOGGING
FOGGING PROBLEM
PROBLEM Greenhouses
Greenhouses

36
FOGGING PROBLEM Greenhouses
Consequences of fog formation

X
1. Reduced Light transmission will be reduced where total internal
reflection of incident light occurs

 slower plant growth rates

 delayed crop
 reduced crop yield per plant

2. Focussing of Light (and heat) transmission on delicate plant

tissue owing to water droplets acting as lenses, causing

 burning of the plants

 crop spoilage

3. The coalescence of small drops into larger ones will create

dripping with consequent
 increase in plant disease
 plant damage (especially seedings)

Solutions
Solutionswith
with Antifog
Antifog Additives
Additives

Incorporation of antifog agent during extrusion

Antifogging additives are generally non-ionic
surfactants. The main chemical classes are:

 Glycerol esters
 Poly glycerol esters
 Sorbitan esters
 Ethoxylated sorbitan esters

 Partially soluble in water

 Controlled migration to surface

Solutions
Solutionswith
with Plasma
Plasma Technology
Technology

 Atmospheric plasma
 WASKO (corona + simultaneous nanocoating with antifog agent)

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 gas + Antifog chemical
Wasko

HV HV
H2O H2O

C=O C-OOH N=N O=O

TEXTILE

Antifogging solution -
mechanism

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Antifog Agent
In agricultural film applications such as in
greenhouses, fogging can cause retardation of
plants' growth and increases the possibility of
plants' disease and damage.

PES
PLASMATREATMENTS

PP

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 3-LAYERS
3-LAYERS AGROTEXTILE
AGROTEXTILE
GREEN HOUSES
GREEN HOUSES

Other
Other Agrotextile
Agrotextile Applications
Applications

1. Hydrophylic PP/PE - Capillary Mats (greenhouses)

@ Reduce the quantity of water and fertilizer conventionally

required for growing potted flowers & plant sets

@ PLASMA-treatment or hydrophylic coating

2. Mulch cover for better composting

@ Allows rain & external moisture to run off while letting air in
& gases out
@ Ecological friendly

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 Inlichtingen:

Prof dr Marc Van Parys

THANKS Voskenslaan 362

FOR B-9000 Gent
FINANCIAL
SUPPORT Tel. +32-9-244 79 19
E-mail: [email protected]
www.unitex.be

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