Biomordants and new alternatives to the sustainable natural fiber dyeings

The textile industry is considered a major polluter of the environment using chemical substances such as color fixatives and the production of toxic waste. There is a growing demand in the fashion market for products that are less aggressive to the environment and use of environmentally friendly processes. Considering the use of natural dyes as an alternative to synthetic dyes, and the use of natural mordants as alternatives to metal mordants, this study investigated the use of Acacia mearnsii sawdust as a biomordant for color fixation. Dyeing and color fixing tests were carried out on banana fiber, and the natural dyes of Hibiscus sabdariffa, Allium cepa and Curcuma longa. The results show the efficacy of Acacia as a biomordant for the tested dyes, presenting intense color and fiber softness. Thus, it is intended to contribute with new alternatives to natural dyeing through materials and sustainable processing procedures applied to natural fibers.