Textile finishing
Textile finishing
The "Textile finishing" product group:
- washes, bleaches, dyes, prints and coats several textile products (yarns, fibres, carpets, knitted goods, non-woven goods, garment goods etc.),
- makes them soil-resistant, shrink-proof, flame-retardant, etc.
The activity of textile finishing is either integrated into a textile mill or carried out by independent specialist suppliers (contract finishers). Via textile finishing, colour and additional functionalities are added to a textile product.

Although the use of chemicals is unavoidable, environmentally friendly alternatives are sought as much as possible.

Best available techniques
After Flanders introduced a new method for measuring DMF, the only region in Europe to do so, PU coating firms could no longer meet the emission standard of 2 mg/m³ set by the Industrial Emissions Directive. In consultation with the Enforcement Department (Flanders), the companies involved implemented the RESCO (Reduction of Emissions and Sustainable PU Coating) project, whereby both the technical and economic feasibility of additional gas emissions treatment techniques were investigated on the basis of a range of pilot installations, in order to once again meet the standard in force.
Chemicals essential for textile finishing
To imbue textiles with colour and specific properties, chemicals are indispensable. However, the use of chemicals is increasingly restricted in the context of the European REACH. As a result, the textile sector is subject to various restrictions. Substances of concern must indeed be replaced as much as possible. But in practice, it is not always straightforward to find full-fledged environmentally friendly alternatives, and in some cases it is even impossible at the present time (for example, for safety clothing). Fedustria therefore calls for temporarily allowing essential chemicals until full-fledged alternatives are available.
Key figures | |
---|---|
Number of companies (only companies with 10 employees or more) | 41 (14 bespoke and 27 integrated) |
Number of employees | 979 (539 bespoke and 440 integrated) |
Turnover (in million EUR) | 149 |
Exported quota | 20 % |
Activity evolution in 2021 (in volume) | +4 % |
Share in the total added value of the Belgian textile sector | 4 % |
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The economic situation in the Belgian textile industry