Natural fibers have long been used due to their characteristic properties, like the breathability of cotton, the insulation of wool, and the lustre of silk along with the durability and comfort. However natural fibers are prone to pest infestation which makes storage and preservation as one of the most tedious tasks. The major nuisance is created by cloth moths and carpet beetles.
The companies handling bulk of natural fibers have traditionally used harsh chemicals which sometimes leave behind foul odour and weaken the structure if used in higher quantity. The staff working with chemicals are equally at risk of exposure. With sustainability taking the centerstage in textile manufacturing, the textile manufacturers have been looking for more sustainable alternatives for textile storage.
Microencapsulation has emerged as the most promising solution, which uses plant products encapsulated in polymers to protect the degradation of fabric by moth attack. This practice also aligns with the sustainable textile processing. Preparing micron sized capsules of herbal extract, and applying it over a textile surface keeps the moths at the bay.
The major challenge is experienced in storage. When the natural fibers are stored in poorly ventilated, dark and moist spaces, that provides the best ecosystem for moths to flourish and disintegrate the textiles. Moths are especially attracted to keratin, and they feed on wool fibers, burring holes into the fabric.
Moth infestation leads to degradation of product quality, increase of textile waste and loss of upholstery and cultural artifacts. Industries working with high value and high volumes of textile, incur financial losses due to moth infestation.
Microencapsulated herbal extracts once applied over textiles gradually release the active ingredient, making the effect last longer. As against the chemical treatment, the exposure of herbal extract with the fiber is not all at once, rather it gets released in controlled amounts, leading to less chemical exposure. This makes the microencapsulated moth repellent safer to be used by workers and consumers. Herbal moth repellent can also be deemed safer for sensitive environments working in favor of the sustainable practices.
India experiences all types of seasons, making woolen textiles to be used for 3-4 months and then storing them for the next year. These products need to be preserved until the next winter season. Households often come across the dilemma of putting neem or camphor in the clothes during storage and frequent unpacking of storage boxes. If the woolens come treated with efficient moth proofing, this eliminates the need for multiple cycles of packing and unpacking and constant worry.
While microencapsulation protects the fabric against moth, it considerably reduces the risk of staining and foul odour.
The microencapsulation of herbal extracts by Innoleague Technologies is a one stop sustainable solution that the industries can leverage for their wool storage, museum and carpet connoisseurs avail fragrant and long protection, and the retail brands can use for their warehouse storage.
Moth proofing is not just protecting wool and carpets from moth, but also preserving the craft, maintaining the structure, leading to financial profits. Microencapsulation is one of the innovative protective technologies that ensure the preservation of natural fibers in the most eco-friendly way possible.
