Anti-Pilling Enzymes
Acid cellulase cuts the fibre ends standing out of the fabric surface, which reduces pilling and cleans up the face of the cloth. The process, usually called bio-polishing, differs from singeing in that it also softens the handle.
What does an anti-pilling enzyme do?
In cotton and viscose yarn, fibre ends stand out from the yarn body. In wear these ends tangle and form pills on the surface. Acid cellulase cuts those protruding ends off the cellulose chain. Because the enzyme acts on the surface it contacts rather than penetrating the yarn core, most of the material removed is the fibre that was already sticking out.
The result shows in three places: the surface is smoother, the colour reads cleaner (surface hairiness stops scattering light), and the handle softens.
Under what conditions does acid cellulase work?
The working window quoted in the literature for the acid cellulase class is pH 4.5–5.5 at 50–55 °C. That is a class range, not a product specification. Derin Kimya's own figures are given on each product page: pending from the client.
In practice, holding pH with an acetic acid / acetate buffer is more reliable than adding acid and walking away. If the mill water has low buffering capacity the pH drifts during the run and activity comes out lower than expected.
How is strength loss controlled?
Cellulase does not distinguish its target. It cuts the surface fibre and the cellulose in the yarn body alike. As treatment time increases, weight loss and tensile strength loss rise together. Weight loss is normally used as the working measure because it is quick to determine in the lab and moves in the same direction as strength loss.
Three control points:
- Time. The most linear way to tune the effect. Hold the dosage and step the time to build a curve for that specific fabric.
- Mechanical action. The same enzyme at the same dosage works harder in a high-speed jet. Change the machine and the recipe has to be re-validated.
- Deactivation. If the enzyme is still active at the end of the cycle, loss continues through rinsing and, in some cases, into drying.
Before or after dyeing?
Both are done, and the choice follows the result you want.
|
|
Before dyeing |
After dyeing |
|---|---|---|
|
Colour clarity |
Dye lays onto a clean surface |
Dyed surface hair is cut off, colour reads brighter |
|
Fastness risk |
None |
The acid bath can shift shade on some reactive dyes |
|
Weight loss accounting |
Against greige weight |
Against dyed weight; do not mix the two bases |
On dark shades the after-dyeing route carries a shade-shift risk, so it is settled in the lab first.
Product comparison
Comparison
| Product | Description | Activity | Working pH | Temperature | Dosage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DK ANTIPILL 8 L | Acid cellulase, anti-pilling and bio-polishing | awaiting data | awaiting data | awaiting data | awaiting data |
| DK ANTIPILL 10 L | Acid cellulase, anti-pilling and bio-polishing | awaiting data | awaiting data | awaiting data | awaiting data |
| DK ANTIPILL 12 L | Acid cellulase, anti-pilling and bio-polishing | awaiting data | awaiting data | awaiting data | awaiting data |
| DK 4T CONC | Concentrated acid cellulase | awaiting data | awaiting data | awaiting data | awaiting data |
| DK ANTIPILL RM 100 | Formulation raw material | awaiting data | awaiting data | awaiting data | awaiting data |
Products
- DK 4T CONC
Concentrated acid cellulase that delivers the same anti-pilling effect from less product and cuts storage and freight load.
- DK ANTIPILL 8 L
Acid cellulase for cotton knits and wovens that cuts protruding fibre ends, holds pilling back and leaves a bio-polished surface.
- DK ANTIPILL 10 L
Acid cellulase that controls fuzz in bio-polishing and leaves cellulosic fabric with a smoother face and a cleaner colour yield.
- DK ANTIPILL 12 L
High-activity acid cellulase for anti-pilling and bio-polishing recipes that have to clean the surface within a short cycle.
- DK ANTIPILL RM 100
Acid cellulase raw material supplied to chemical producers who formulate their own anti-pilling and bio-polishing products.
Common questions
Does an anti-pilling enzyme stop pilling for good?
No. The enzyme removes the fibre ends present on the surface at the time of treatment; in wear, new ends work their way out of the yarn. The process delays the onset of pilling and reduces its severity, it does not eliminate it.
Can acid cellulase be used on elastane blends?
Cellulase does not attack elastane; the issue is the acid bath and the temperature. On cotton/elastane, stay off the top of the temperature range and neutralise thoroughly afterwards.
How does it differ from a neutral cellulase?
Same job, different pH. Acid cellulase gives higher activity in the acid range and is generally faster; neutral cellulase is preferred after dyeing and in denim because it puts less strain on dye fastness.
Other families in this category
Related applications
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Not finding what you need?
We develop custom formulations. Tell us your process, machine type and the result you are after, and the lab will set up a trial and send a sample.