Coconut Fiber as an Alternative to Natural Fabric Dye

BULETIN TEKSTIL.COM/ Jakarta – The coconut plants are frequently encountered across Indonesia. Additionally, the coconut is frequently called a “multipurpose plant” due to the fact that every part of it has medical applications. Everything, extending from the leaf ends to the roots, is usable. Indonesia is among the global regions that generate a significant quantity of refuse coconut fiber. According to data from 2022, the aggregate value of coconut and its derivatives exported rose to 2,104,745,299 kilograms. Based on province and exploitation status, the combined area of mature plantations (TM) and coconut production amounts to 2,508,281 hectares, yielding 2,859,515 kilograms of copra.

Up until this point, the interior of the coconut has been the most amenable to processing. Coconut meat, thus far utilized solely in the production of crude coconut oil (CCO), culinary oil, and copra, has the potential to be further refined for applications in the oleochemical industry, oleofoods, desiccated coconust, and other economically valuable commodities. This also applies to coconut shells, which can be processed into shell flour and activated carbon in addition to fashion accessories and craft materials. In addition to cocopeat and coconut fiber, which can be utilized in the coir fiber industry, cocofiber can be incorporated into alternative craft products and used as a textile dye to replace synthetic dyes.

The gradual resurgence of natural dyes is becoming more prevalent over time. The abundance of studies that have examined the subject of natural dyes provide evidence for this. This natural dye is utilized in the fashion industry as well as in the culinary industry. The most essential aspect is that waste from natural dyes can be classified as environmentally beneficial waste, and the manufacturing process is straightforward.

Generated colors variations

Coconut fiber contains compounds with differing degrees of vibrancy that can be utilized as natural dyes. Young coconut fiber is categorized with ancient coconut fiber. The color of young coconut fiber extract ranges from light brown to dark brown, whereas the color of ancient coconut fiber extract is reddish brown. Coconut fiber is capable of producing natural dyes in this manner.

Cotton, being a textile material renowned for its substantial permeability, finds ideal application as a foundational material in the dyeing procedure. In addition to cotton, alternative textile materials such as silk, wool, and linen may be utilized. The materials comprising this category of textile are extracted from natural fibers.

Presently, the utilization of coconut fiber as a natural dye for textiles is an optimal concept; consequently, this contributes to the economic viability and practicality of waste for an environmentally conscious sector. Additionally, pigments for colors derived from coconut fiber have their own allure. On multiple occasions, the fashion industry has developed novel techniques for producing natural color extracts by incorporating a variety of components and refining techniques, including coconut fiber.

By choosing the type of coconut utilized in the extraction procedure, ancient coconut with a darker coir color than immature coconut is utilized, resulting in the production of a dark brown color during processing.

A brown color is the result of tannin compounds present in coconut fiber. The degree of brown coloration achieved is proportional to the coconut’s level of maturity; as the coconut ages, it becomes more brown. The dyeing time interval, in addition to the maturation of the coconut fiber, affects both the color produced and the dyeing technique. The absorbent density of the fabric determines the color gradation, with the fixation process having the greatest impact on the color obtained. In addition to facilitating enhanced dye absorption in the fabric, the fixator material also dictates the direction of the resulting color.

Diverse colors derived from coconut fiber, distinguished by differences in fabric type, fixative agent, dyeing procedure, and dyeing duration.

Fabric selection becomes more significant when natural dyes are employed, as the color produced by natural components is comparatively weaker than that of synthetic dyes, necessitating the use of a fixative to extend the color’s permanence on the fabric. Sufficient absorbency and density characteristics of the fabric are desirable in order to facilitate the binding of the color within the fibers. Cotton is considered to be the most cost-effective natural material. Pirisima is one of the most popular varieties of cotton fabric. When worn, this form of fabric remains cold and has a dense, velvety, and silky texture. When natural dyes are applied to this form of fabric, it becomes more concentrated and long-lasting.

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Mordanting is one of the phases involved in coloring. The mordanting procedure consists of four distinct phases. Simultaneous mordant, early stage or early mordant, late stage or early-late mordant. For this procedure, vinegar, alum, tunjung, and whiting are employed as mordants. It is necessary to perform the mordanting or color sealing procedure when working with natural dyes. The quantity of substances with varying concentrations that can be absorbed is increased by adding mordant to the dipping solution; the absorption capacity is determined by the mordant employed. Due to the high fading risk associated with natural dyes, mordanting is essential to ensure that the color is effectively sealed or fixed. Additionally, this mordanting procedure may induce a minor color change in the fabric, which may have an impact on its ultimate hue.

Fabrics can be imbued with the completed coconut fiber extract color through the utilization of diverse methodologies, such as the splash technique (implementing marbles and string) or the splash technique (utilizing a brush and toothbrush).

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