Clean dyeing technologies for textiles: a review

This article focuses on the emerging clean dyeing technologies in the textile industry, aiming to explore their performance in reducing environmental impacts and improving dyeing product quality compared with traditional dyeing processes. This article provides a systematic review and analysis of various eco-friendly dyeing technologies, such as less water/non-water dyeing technologies (e.g. supercritical carbon dioxide dyeing, oil system dyeing, liquid ammonia dyeing, etc.), radiation‑assisted dyeing methods (encompassing ultrasound‑assisted, plasma‑assisted, and microwave‑assisted dyeing), as well as natural/bio‑based dyeing approaches, based on an extensive survey of the literature. The results show that these clean dyeing technologies show significant advantages in reducing the emission of waste water, waste gas and waste residue, reducing energy consumption and the use of chemical auxiliaries, and improving dyeing uniformity and color fastness. However, these technologies also face some challenges in practical application, such as high requirements for equipment, media recovery and cost control. Overall, clean dyeing technology provides an effective way for the sustainable development of the textile industry, and in the future, it is necessary to further overcome the key technical challenges and promote the realization of its comprehensive transformation from laboratory to industrial application, in order to promote the green transition and long-term development of the textile industry.