According to recent research carried out in south India, using laser and ultrasonic cutters on polyester knitted fabrics—instead of conventional cut-and-sew methods—can dramatically minimize the number of microfibers released into the environment during laundry.
According to an analysis of various cutting techniques conducted by R Rathinamoorthy from the fashion technology department at the PSG College of Technology in Coimbatore and S Raja Balasaraswathi from the National Institute of Fashion Technology in Bengaluru, microfiber release is up to a twentieth less with laser and ultrasonic cutting techniques than with conventional scissor-cut edges.
When comparing the various stitch types, it was found that the overlock stitch type shed less than the flatlock stitch and single needle lockstitch.
The researchers reported their findings in a peer-reviewed publication published in the August 11 issue of the Elsevier journal ‘The Science of the Total Environment’. The results demonstrated that the use of more needles increases the microfiber emission among various stitch variations of the same stitch type.
For instance, they reported that the four-thread overlock stitch (two needles) increased microfiber emission by 45.27% compared to the three-thread stitch (one needle).
Given that the edges are entirely covered, the proposed edge finishing seam (EFb) proved successful in decreasing 93% of microfiber escape.
In the case of single needle lockstitch and flatlock stitch, the microfiber release is decreased with higher stitch density when the influence of stitch density is considered.
The results showed that the microfiber release from a garment could be decreased by up to 64.6% by choosing the right stitch, stitch density, and seam type.
