Dyadic’s core business was initially focused on the textiles industry, providing jean manufacturers with the pumice stones needed for stonewashing denim garments. Building on the company’s success with pumice, Dyadic added several chemical auxiliaries to its product line. Enzyme manufacturing filled a need within the textiles industry by providing high quality acid and neutral cellulase enzymes at competitive prices. Today, Dyadic discovers, develops, manufactures and markets a full range of products to meet your enzyme needs for the manufacturing of textiles.

Stonewashing with pumice stones started out exactly as it sounds: fabric was washed with stones. Before the development of cellulases, stonewashing involved a lot of pumice rock tumbling around in a washer with denim garments. Since the innovation of cellulase, the stonewashing cycle time has been cut in half when used in conjunction with pumice stones, as recommended by Dyadic. Additionally, stonewashing with cellulase is superior to washing with pumice alone because it increases garment softness and results in higher levels of fabric abrasion.

When originally developed, cellulase was an acid enzyme with a pH level of about 5. Acid cellulase is aggressive, and although it produces high levels of abrasion, it also reduces the fabric’s tensile strength and results in a high amount of re-deposition, or backstaining.

Neutral cellulase with a typical pH of 6.5 – does not reduce the fabric’s tensile strength or backstain as severely as acid cellulase does. However, neutral cellulase is not as aggressive as acid cellulase and typically commands a higher market price. Dyadic’s proprietary neutral cellulase enzymes (US Patent #5,811,381 & US Patent #6,015,707) provide unique attributes, as well as brightness and contrast, to denim wash.

To meet the industry’s demand for stonewashing, Dyadic is developing additional varieties of enzymes to improve upon existing finishing processes. A partial list includes laccase, polyesterase, cold water biofinishing.

Another enzyme commonly used by the textiles industry is amylase, the first enzyme innovated to remove the starch warp sizing from fabric. Warp sizing protects the warp yarn with a coating of starch that minimizes yarn breakage during weaving. Although warp sizing is useful in weaving, it leaves fabric stiff to the touch. Amylase – also known as amylose – is used to remove the starch, leaving fabric softer and ready for the consumer. Dyadic offers powdered amylase that is ready to mix into liquid for use.

Cellulases are also used in biofinishing for the removal of surface hairs from garments for increased comfort and fashion. The use of cellulose also provides a softer feel to the fabric, especially to man-made fabrics that can feel rough if not properly treated. TENCEL™, a popular fabric produced from wood pulp, could not gain market share without biofinishing treatment because of its stiff fibers which result in an uncomfortable effect.

From amylase to cellulase, the uses for enzymes in textiles continue to grow. Catalases can be used to remove peroxide after bleaching to improve the dyeing process. Pectinase can be used as a bioscour – an environmentally friendly alternative to caustic scouring.

With Dyadic’s novel ability to screen for and produce new proteins, innovative uses for enzymes in the textiles industry are limitless. (More at Technology Platform)