Lactic Acid Used in Textile & Leather

Innovative Lactic Acid Finishing Techniques for Textiles and Leathers

Modern textile and leather manufacturing industries are increasingly relying on innovative liquid lactic acid finishing techniques to obtain desired surface properties. This eco-friendly process offers a range of advantages such as improved softness, dimensional stability, and antimicrobial properties to textiles and leathers. Moreover, such industrial application of lactic acid is for imparting various colors and textures to the materials.

How Lactic Acid Used in Textiles&Leather Change Color and Texture

The lactic acid application in the textile and leather industries mainly exploits its chemical properties to improve the color, texture and other properties of materials.

• Lactic acid can be used as a pH regulator during textile dyeing. By adjusting the pH of the dye bath, lactic acid helps improve the coloring properties and uniformity of the dye, resulting in more vibrant, even colors. In addition, lactic acid can also help fix dyes and improve the washfastness and lightfastness of dyeing.

  
  

• Lactic acid can also be used in textile finishing processes as a softening agent. Lactic acid can undergo a slight chemical reaction with the fiber surface, changing the surface properties of the fiber. For example, it can help remove impurities or residual chemicals from the fiber surface, making the fiber surface smoother and thus improving the feel. Lactic acid can also form chelates with calcium and other metal ions in the fiber, thereby removing these ions that may cause the fiber to stiffen.

  
  

• Tanning process: In the leather manufacturing process, lactic acid can be used as a tanning agent or tanning auxiliary. Lactic acid helps adjust the pH value of the tanning solution, promotes the tanning effect of the leather, and makes the leather softer and more durable. The use of lactic acid can improve the texture and appearance of leather and improve its processing properties.