Abstract: A method for recycling textiles comprising cellulose with the following steps of: optionally disintegrating the textile, Swelling the cellulose, under reducing conditions, wherein at least one reducing agent is present at least during a part of the swelling, and then performing at least one of the following two bleaching steps in any order: i) bleaching the material with oxygen at alkaline conditions with a pH in the range 9-13.5, and ii) bleaching the material with ozone at acid conditions below pH 6. An advantage is that the yield is improved at the same time as excellent decolourization is achieved. If the recycled material is used in viscose manufacture, the risk of clogging nozzles and so on is reduced.

Abstract: Flame-retardant composition containing a first component selected from phosphorous acid or a salt of phosphorous acid and a second component selected from an isocyanic acid, an isocyanic acid precursor, a cyanate salt, a thiocyanate salt or isothiocyanic acid precursor, dicyandiamide, cyanamide or carbodiimide precursor.

Abstract: Cellulosic fibers treated with telomers of polyacrylic acid.

Abstract: Compositions and methods that preserve and enhance the brightness of pulp, and also improve the color of pulp or paper, when applied during different stages of a papermaking process, are disclosed. The compositions and methods maintain or enhance brightness, prevent yellowing, and enhance the performance of paper products. The compositions can include a mixture of reducing agents and can also include optical brighteners, chelants, polycarboxylates, or other additives. The mixture of reducing agents can include a borohydride, such as sodium borohydride, and any other reducing agent, such as a sulfite or bisulfite.

Abstract: Compositions useful for the flame retardant finishing of cotton articles or other cellulose materials are described. The compositions are obtainable by reacting a tetrakishydroxyalkylphosphonium (THP) salt with caprolactam and urea to form a condensation product and subsequently forming a condensate from excess THP salt and excess urea. The compositions endow cotton articles with flame retardant properties and a pleasantly soft hand coupled with good durability to laundering processes.

Abstract: The present invention imparts fire-retardancy upon cellulosic products utilizing a cost-effective, non-toxic, and reliable process. Unlike previous methods which impart superficial fire-retardant coatings upon finished products, the present process treats the individual cellulosic particles (i.e. fibers, chips etc.) that make up cellulose-based particle products. Treating the individual particles provides fire-retardancy throughout the entire length and width of the product. This full-depth retardancy provides superior protection, especially in catastrophic fires where the surface coat of other products can be compromised.

Abstract: Formaldehyde-free durable press finished textiles having cross-linked polymaleate finishes are provided. The finish comprises a cross-linked polymaleate having a crosslinked adjunct selected from the group having the formula: wherein R is independently H, OH, OM, or a unit having the formula: and mixtures thereof; X is H, OH, or OSO3M, M is H, a salt forming cation, and mixtures thereof; the indices x, y, and z are each independently from 0 to about 7; x+z is greater than or equal to 1, Q is H, OH, OM but not H when both x and z are greater than or equal to 1 and the textile has a durable press rating of at least about 3.0 and a tensile strength retention of greater than 40%.

Abstract: Formaldehyde-free durable press finished textiles having cross-linked polymaleate finishes are provided. The finish comprises a cross-linked polymaleate having a crosslinked adjunct selected from the group having the formula: wherein R is independently H, OH, OM, or a unit having the formula: and mixtures thereof; X is H, OH, or OSO3M, M is H, a salt forming cation, and mixtures thereof; the indices x, y, and z are each independently from 0 to about 7; x+z is greater than or equal to 1, Q is H, OH, OM but not H when both x and z are greater than or equal to 1 and the textile has a durable press rating of at least about 3.0 and a tensile strength retention of greater than 40%.

Abstract: Novel textile finishing compositions for finishing textile articles are provided via the present invention. The textile finishing compositions disclosed herein comprise a cross-linking agent and a catalytic amount of an esterification agent. The cross-linking agents employed herein are selected from polycarboxylates such as homopolymers of ethylenically-?,?-unsaturated dicarboxylates, copolymers of all ethylenically-?,?-unsaturated dicarboxylates, and copolymers of ethylenically-?,?-unsaturated dicarboxylates polymerized with vinyl-containing monomers. Also provided via the present invention are methods for applying the aforementioned finishing compositions to textile articles.

Abstract: Phosphinato-substituted propane- and butanepolycarboxylic acids and derivatives thereof are useful as crosslinking agents for cellulosic materials to render them wrinkle resistant and/or iron free in a durable press process.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of rendering cellulosic materials flame resistant, and articles of manufacture including the materials, are disclosed. The compositions include one or more crosslinking agents, and, optionally, one or more phosphorus-based compounds. Dimethyloldihydroxyethylene urea, imidazole, imidazolidinones, dialdehydes, and dichlorotriazines are preferred crosslinking agents. The methods involve applying the composition to the material, and covalently linking the crosslinking agent to the material. An advantage of covalently linking the crosslinking agent to the cellulosic material is the lack of any potential toxicity associated with uncrosslinked fire retardants on the cellulosic material and the stability of the bonds between the material and the crosslinking agent to conventional steam cleaning and other carpet cleaning methods. In a preferred embodiment, the fire-retardant cotton-fiber composition is used to prepare cotton carpets, upholstery or raised surface apparel.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of rendering cellulosic materials fire retardant, and articles of manufacture including the materials, are disclosed. The compositions include an amino acid, protein and/or peptide and optionally include one or more crosslinking and/or coupling agents. Enzymes are a preferred protein. The methods involve applying the composition to the material, and optionally involve covalently linking the amino acid, protein and/or peptide to the material, either directly or via a crosslinking agent. An advantage of covalently linking the amino acid, protein and/or peptide to the cellulosic material is the lack of any potential toxicity associated with breathable dust particles of unbound amino acid, protein and/or peptide, and the stability of the bonds between the material and the amino acid, protein and/or peptide to conventional steam cleaning and other carpet cleaning methods.

Abstract: A method is provided of altering the chemical and/or physical functionality of a fibrous substrate (e.g. fibers, fabrics and fiber-resin composites) by the action of a polymeric composition containing at least one phosphono- or phosphino-component. The polymeric composition may include VPA, VDPA or hypophosphorous acid. The fibres may be cellulosic and/or non-cellulosic, or metal or ceramic. The method can be used, for example, to enhance the receptivity of a fibrous substrate to dyes.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a process for making fabrics containing cotton fibers more aesthetically pleasing and resistant to staining by anionic dyes by derivatising the cotton so that it exhibits a permanent anionic charge. By increasing the anionic charge of the fibers, the fibers become resistant to anionic coloring agents which may undesirably come into contact with the fibers and the fibers can absorb greater amounts of cationic softeners and biocides. Furthermore, the negative charges repel each other resulting in a fabric with greater loft and hydrophilicity. This results in greater smoothness, better hand, and more comfort. Besides being used to prevent the cross-staining of fabrics, the present invention can also be used to make carpet materials resistant to anionic staining agents.

Abstract: An aqueous finishing composition for cellulose-containing materials, comprising a hydroxyalkyl-functional organophosphorus flame retardant (which contains a substantially non-volatile component at the curing temperature) and a non-formaldehyde cross-linking agent (such as a polycarboxylic acid cross-linking agent), and the materials treated with such a composition. Optional ingredients for the aqueous finishing composition include a cross-linking catalyst and/or an inexpensive saturated alpha-hydroxy polycarboxylic acid such as citric acid (partial replacement of a more expensive preferred polycarboxylic acid will reduce finishing costs).

Abstract: Process for finishing a cellulose-based textile according to which the textile is treated using an aqueous finishing bath containing the following cross-linking composition as a cross-linking agent for cellulose: a) 15-95 molar % of at least one maleic acid and hypophosphorus acid telomer of formula (I)  with  and (m+n)≧3  or A=H or OH and n≧2 b) 0-50 molar % phosphinicosuccinic acid c) 0-40 molar % of phosphinicobissuccinic acid d) 0-50 molar % phosphonosuccinic acid e) 0-15 molar % hypophosphorus acid f) 0-10 molar % phosphorus acid g) 0-15 molar % phosphoric acid each of the acids a) to g) of the composition being able to be present either in free form or partially or totally neutralized in the form of an alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal ammonium or amine salt and finishing bath.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for strengthening a cellulosic substrate by treating the substrate with a formaldehyde-free curable aqueous composition and curing the composition. The cellulosic substrates include, for example, paper oil- and air-filter stock, rayon nonwoven wipes, cellulosic laminating stock, cotton woven fabrics, and wood flakes suitable to be consolidated into flakeboard.