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NATURAL DYES FROM FOREST BIOMASS
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Until the discovery of
synthetic dyes in 1856, the THE TECHNOLOGY Research carried out at
the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun has led to the development of processes
for the extraction of natural dyes from some abundantly occurring plant
materials of forest origin. These dyes may be used for imparting different
shades on silk, wool and cotton using common mordants like alum, salts of
iron, tin and chrome. Different combinations of mordants impart unique
shades. The processes employed
for the extraction of dyes simple, low-cost and eco-friendly. Processes for
numerous shades developed from a number of species, covered under 3 patents,
are available for transfer and with the scope of natural dyes widening
prominently, dye manufactures are anticipated to take them up in the near
future in big way. THE ECONOMICS Its now possible to
produce marketable natural dyes, which would provide eye-catching shades,
with the simple workable techniques developed at FRI. The forest biomass can
be used for the production of dye of cottage scale, thus leading to
employment generation for the people through value addition tot he non-wood
forest products along with creating an additional source of revenue. The cost
of raw materials varies from Rs. 2 to Rs. 40 per kg depending upon the
material used for isolation of dyes and the site of requirement. Processes
have also been standardised to use the dye raw materials directly for dyeing
different fabrics. SAFEGUARDING THE
ENVIRONMENT Azo dyes cause harmful
effects during their production and subsequent use. The EEC has promulgated
at "EC Control of Substance Hazardous to Health Act, 1989" and
published a red list enumerating a number of chemicals, the presence of which
in any kind of fabric has been banned. An ordinance in Germany stipulates
that no garment or any other article that comes into contact with the skin
shall contain any of the twenty aromatic amines named there under. Similar
restrictions have been imposed in many other countries. In India, the ban on
the use of azo dyes has been imposed by the Union Ministry of Environment and
Forest under section 6(2) (d) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 read
with the Rule 13 of the Environment (Protection ) Rules, 1986. Due to environmental
awareness the natural dyes obtained from plants and animals are the dyes of
21st century. Their production as well as trade is anticipated to
increase manifold in the times to come. |
NRDC
National
Research Development Corporation, a Government of India Enterprise, is a
premier technology transfer Corporation with four decades of experience. It has
helped establish over one thousand projects in the small and medium scale
sector. The supply of technologies and services to entrepreneurs extend both in
the developing and developed countries.
Advantages of Indian
technologies:
- Low capital investment
- High employment potential
- Maximum use of local raw materials and manpower
resources
- Adaptable levels of sophistication
Services offered by NRDC
- Process know-how
- Pre-investment studies
- Feasibility / project reports
- Detailed engineering
- Turn key projects
- Equity capital participation
- Training in operation of plants
- Raw materials and products testing
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