Purpose Conventional reactive inkjet printing on cotton uses high quantities of salt, urea and alkali, which requires energy-intensive steaming fixing and produces highly polluting effluents. The purpose of this study is to create an environmentally friendly, auxiliary-free technology that uses aminopropyl/vinyl/silsesquioxane (APS) post-treatment to produce effective fixation at a low energy cost while limiting environmental impact. Design/methodology/approach Cotton fabrics were printed with CMYK reactive inks and then treated with APS solution (7.5% w/v, pH 10) by thermal (sodium persulfate, 60–80°C) or UV (DEAP photoinitiator, 365 nm, 3 min) curing. Fixation efficiency, color strength (K/S), CIE Lab* coordinates, fastness characteristics, effluent COD, tensile strength, flexibility, FTIR and SEM were all measured and compared to conventional steaming. Findings APS post-treatment under UV curing achieved near-quantitative dye fixation (DF% 95%–98%), significantly outperforming conventional steaming (80–88%) and thermal curing (92%–94%). UV-cured samples exhibited superior color strength (K/S up to 32 for black reactive ink), deeper shades (lower L*), and higher chromatic saturation across all CMYK colors, with K/S gains of 48–109% over conventional steaming. Wash and crocking fastness ratings reached 4–5, and light fastness 5–7 (1–8 scale). Effluent COD was reduced by approximately 65%–70% (to ∼40 mg/L versus ∼120 mg/L for conventional), while tensile strength was marginally enhanced (465 ± 7 N) and fabric flexibility significantly improved (bending length 2.5 ± 0.2 cm). ATR-FTIR and SEM confirmed homogeneous APS grafting and successful UV-initiated vinyl crosslinking on the cotton fiber surface. Research limitations/implications This study is conducted at laboratory scale; translation to industrial production introduces several practical challenges. Continuous UV curing systems must be engineered to deliver uniform irradiance across fabric widths exceeding 1.5 m, and padding uniformity must be maintained under variable fabric tensions in continuous processing lines. The long-term colloidal stability of APS aqueous dispersions under storage conditions typical of textile mills including temperature fluctuations (5°C–40°C), prolonged shelf-life exceeding 6 months and exposure to hard water has not yet been systematically evaluated and represents an important prerequisite for industrial adoption. Furthermore, the current findings are specific to plain-weave cotton fabric printed with CMYK reactive inks; applicability to other fabric constructions (viscose, cotton/polyester blends), additional reactive dye chemistries (vinylsulfone, bifunctional) and other printing resolutions requires further systematic investigation. Practical implications APS post-treatment is a simple, low-energy alternative to traditional auxiliaries that allows textile mills to minimize chemical use, wastewater treatment expenses and energy consumption while preserving or increasing print quality and fabric handling. It is compatible with current inkjet printers and ideal for short-run, on-demand printing. Originality/value While APS has previously been demonstrated by the group as a post-treatment agent for pigment-based inkjet printing on polyester fabrics achieving low-temperature UV or thermal fixation, enhanced color strength and antistatic properties, its application to reactive dye fixation on cotton cellulose represents a fundamentally new extension of this chemistry. Unlike pigment printing, which relies on physical film encapsulation, reactive inkjet printing on cotton requires covalent bonding between the reactive dye and cellulose hydroxyl groups, demanding a controlled alkaline environment (pH 9–11) and suppression of competitive dye hydrolysis. To the best of authors’ knowledge, the present study is the first to demonstrate that a single APS post-treatment step can simultaneously fulfill the roles of cationising agent, pH buffer and crosslinking matrix to achieve near-quantitative reactive dye fixation on cotton without conventional salt, urea, or alkali auxiliaries.
Purpose This study aims to critically review and synthesize how circular-economy mechanisms can be applied to pigment, resin and coating supply chains while preserving formulation performance and chemical safety. It asks which material and supply-chain mechanisms are supported, when they deliver environmental and economic benefit, and which governance and digital conditions are required for implementation. Design/methodology/approach A structured narrative review was conducted using Crossref, Google Scholar, publisher platforms and backward citation searching. Thirty core evidence records published through 2025 were retained after a citation-level relevance audit. Sources were classified by sector directness, evidence design, geographical context, technology maturity, functional unit or decision boundary and reporting transparency. The manuscript reports the complete search syntax and includes the full evidence extraction in the appendix. Because historical query-level exports were not retained, identification and screening counts were not retrospectively reconstructed. Findings The quantitative evidence is case-specific. In one Italian comparative LCA of two paints, a waste-paint option reduced assessed impacts by approximately 48% on average under the study assumptions. A separate Italian cradle-to-gate study of 21 mural paints reported 1.03 ± 0.60 kg CO2-eq per kg paint and an upstream contribution above 70%. In a global inventory-based coating study using annual world coating demand as the functional unit, epoxy resin, TiO2, acrylic resin and metallic zinc dust together contributed more than 53% in most ReCiPe 2016 categories; direct coating manufacture and most downstream processes were outside that boundary. Circularity therefore depends on performance retention, restricted-substance control, collection quality, verified virgin-material substitution and context-specific LCA–TEA rather than recovery rate alone. Originality/value The review differs from generic circular-supply-chain reviews and narrower coating reviews by mapping pigment characteristics, resin and coating performance, reverse logistics, LCA, TEA, hazardous-substance governance and digital traceability into a single evidence-derived decision sequence. The framework is a synthesis for prospective application, not an independently validated industrial model; its gates and measurable criteria are made explicit and illustrated with a waste-paint remanufacturing example.
Purpose This study aims to propose a novel approach to address the high costs and complex processes of traditional glasses-free three-dimensional (3D) furniture decoration. It uses ultraviolet inkjet printing technology to achieve a glasses-free 3D decorative effect on furniture surfaces. Design/methodology/approach By leveraging the microlens array principle, transparent UV ink was printed onto a transparent substrate to simulate a micro-lens matrix. In contrast, a micrographic array was printed on a secondary substrate (or the reverse side of the transparent substrate). Their superposition generates autostereoscopic depth perception via the Moir & eacute; effect. Experimental validation compared two matrix arrangements: square-arranged (with circular or square textures) and hexagonal-arranged (with hexagonal or circular textures). Each was paired with micro-text arrays in an "A" pattern. Four furniture surface design concepts were ultimately implemented, incorporating floral motifs, traditional Chinese elements, Memphis-style patterns and gradient designs. Findings Results demonstrate that: Square-arranged matrices achieve optimal Moir & eacute; magnification at angles of 2-6 degrees, with theoretical and experimental Moir & eacute; pattern period (M) deviations < 5 mm; Hexagonal textures outperform circular ones in image clarity and magnification efficacy; Square-textured matrices yield superior magnification quality versus circular equivalents. The printed furniture samples exhibited vibrant colors, distinct textures and dynamic 3D effects observable from multiple angles. Originality/value This study confirms the feasibility of using UV inkjet printing to create textured matrices, integrating glasses-free 3D effects into furniture panels. This approach enables cost-effective, glasses-free 3D furniture decoration, thereby expanding possibilities for personalized surface aesthetic design.
Purpose This review aims to present a comprehensive review on the use of hydrogels, and specifically eco-friendly formulas, for cleaning heritage painted surfaces, including their classification, characteristics and applications. Design/methodology/approach This review illustrates several types of hydrogels, physical or chemical and their classification based on source, composition/the polymer structure and the electric charge. The swelling characteristics, mechanical-biocompatible properties, the advantages and disadvantages of gel application in the field of cultural heritage conservation are also discussed. The review presents examples of physical and chemical hydrogels and their preparation methods. Findings The review highlighted the characteristics of different eco-friendly hydrogels and showed that the mechanical properties of gels can be modified by changing their composition; this feature allows them to be successfully applied for cleaning of cultural heritage objects. Originality/value This review highlights the major features of eco-friendly hydrogels, and it draws an attention to their efficiency for cleaning purposes.
Purpose Historical textiles dyed with natural or synthetic dyes in museum collections suffer from various forms of deterioration that threaten their integrity and long-term sustainability. Inappropriate restoration materials and harsh conservation methods may cause irreversible damage to these rare artifacts. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate new conservation approaches that enhance the preservation and sustainability of historical woolen textiles without negatively affecting their physical, chemical or aesthetic properties. Design/methodology/approach Modern woolen textiles were dyed to simulate historical museum textiles using synthetic dyes (picric acid, Orange II and phenyl azo resorcinol) and natural dyes (safflower dye and a mixture of madder and turmeric with iron, alum and copper mordants). A nanocomposite of Primal AC33 with Ag NPs was applied to the dyed woolen textiles. The treated samples were then subjected to accelerated light and thermal aging. The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated using several analytical techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, CIE Lab* color measurements and color strength (K/S) analysis. Findings The results demonstrated that the Primal AC33/silver nanocomposite provided effective protection to the woolen textiles, improving their resistance to aging while maintaining their mechanical, chemical and coloristic properties. The treatment showed minimal adverse effects on fiber structure and color stability, indicating its suitability as a safe and innovative conservation method. These findings suggest that the proposed approach can be easily applied in museum conservation practices and can significantly contribute to the sustainable preservation of historical textiles. Originality/value This study presents an innovative conservation approach through the application of a Primal AC33/silver nanocomposite on woolen textiles dyed with both natural and synthetic dyes. Unlike traditional restoration materials that may cause irreversible damage, the proposed method offers a safer and more sustainable alternative. The research uniquely combines nanotechnology with textile conservation and evaluates its effectiveness using comprehensive analytical techniques after accelerated aging. The findings provide practical, easily applicable solutions for museum conservation and contribute valuable scientific insight into the long-term preservation of rare historical textiles
