Continuous dyeing of wool fabrics in solid colours

Continuous dyeing of wool fabrics has the potential to reduce water, chemicals, labour, and time. Dyeing in solid shades may be less technically demanding than printing patterns, especially with regards to pre-treatments. The investigation reported here looked at four issues with the potential to cause problems for low-water, continuous dyeing of wool in solid colours; The viscosity of highly concentrated dye liquors, the wetting of fabrics (untreated and pre-treated), The resistance of sprayed liquors to dripping from fabrics and the composition of spray-applied dye liquors required for good steam fixation. None of the issues investigated proved to be a problem and the potential of continuous wool printing was confirmed. A pre-treatment involving the pad-dry application of a re-wetting agent showed promise as an alternative to chlorination. AgResearch seeks to engage with the industry to further develop this approach to wool colouration.