Easy-care Finishing of Cellulosic and Cellulose-containing Textiles with Low- or Zero-formaldehyde Cross Linkers

Presented at the 13th Congress of the International Federation of Associations of Textile Chemists and Colourists in London on 21st September 1984. Easy-care cellulosic or cellulose-containing textiles are produced by setting the fabric in the desired configuration via a cross-linking reaction between hydroxyl groups of adjacent cellulose chains. The cross-linking is generally carried out using amide-formaldehyde reactants. In the recent years great efforts have been made to reduce formaldehyde release in order to protect the worker, the environment and the consumer. The use of zero-formaldehyde cross-linkers such as amide-glyoxal reactants are also discussed