A new generation of innovative fiber and a kind of synthetic fiber made of milk casein fiber through bioengineering method with biological health care function and natural & long-lasting antibacterial effect, which has got valid certification for international ecological textile certification of Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Authentication approved it in April 2004 and has been classified into grade A project of high-new technology transformation (2). It is most comfortable, excellent water transportation and air-permeability.

1. Casein Fiber
Ashini Hariram
M.Sc. Apparel Technology & Management
Guided by: Ms. Vidhya R

2. CONTENTS
• INTRODUCTION • AFTER CARE
• HISTORY • DESIGNERS
• PRODUCTION PROCESS • MANUFACTURERS
• PROCESS IN DETAIL • CONCLUSION
• STRUCTURE AND
APPEARANCE
• PROPERTIES
• FIBER TO FABRIC FORMATION
• ADVANTAGES
• DISADVANTAGES
• APPLICATION & OTHER END
USES
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER

3. INTRODUCTION
• Drink or Wear! : The technology has benefited us in the
way by providing us the alternative to extract milk’s
advantage without actually drinking it.
• Skimmed Milk: Milk protein fabric is made out of
skimmed milk. Main component of this fiber are casein
proteins, drawn from the cow’s milk.
• Amino Acids: This fiber contains fifteen types of amino
acid extracts that helps in the nourishment of the skin and
makes it healthier.
• Bio-Engineering: Milk protein fabric is a blend of nature,
science and technology that has benefits of natural as well
as synthetic fiber.
• What's special with it?: It is most comfortable, excellent
water transportation and air-permeability. It is also more
healthy, light, soft and colorful. It’s being resistant to
fungus, insects and aging.
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER (Contd…)

4. INTRODUCTION
• Anti-Bacterial Elements & pH Factor: It contains
natural anti-bacterial elements and has a pH similar to that
of human skin. It biodegrades and is renewable as well.
• Hygroscopic: It helps to absorb moisture since it is
hygroscopic and has vertical fibers with regular conduits
providing ample space for the moisture to pass from fiber to
fiber.
• Environment friendly: It is an environment friendly
product. This fiber is regarded as a naturally healthy fiber
by association of milk
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER

5. HISTORY
• Milk's potential for cloth: During the First World War,
when the Germans were looking out for some newer sources
of fabric, it was then when they discovered milk's potential
for cloth.
• How they processed?: The solutions of casein were spun
experimentally to form fibers and it was forced through the
jets into hardening baths forming solid filaments in which
the long casein molecules had been given sufficient
orientation to hold together in typical fiber form.
• Why Germans failed?: These early fibers were of little
value. They were brittle, hard and lacked the resilience and
durability needed for textile use .
(Contd…)
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER

6. HISTORY
• Who patented it?: During early 1930’s an Italian chemist
Antonio Feretti, experimented with casein fibres to try and
overcome their drawbacks. He was successful, making
casein fibres which were pliable and had many properties
associated with wool.
• Early stage manufacturers: Feretti sold his patents to
large Italian rayon firm Snia Viscosa who developed the
large scale manufacture of casein fibres under the trade
name of Lanital. In 1936 the output of Lanital was about
300 tonnes by the following year it had reached 1200 tonnes
and in 1939 the production capacity was 10000 tonnes a
year. It was manufactured to compete with wool.
• Alternate names of casein fiber: a. Lanital in Belgium
and France. b. Fibrolane in Britain . c. Merinova in Italy. d.
Wipolan in Poland. e. Aralac in America
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER

7. PRODUCTION PROCESS OF CASEIN
RAW MATERIAL
MIXING
FILTERATION HARDENING
DEAREATION WASHING
SPINNING DRYING
CUTTING BALING
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER

8. PRODUCTION PROCESS
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER

9. STRUCTURE AND APPEARANCE
• COLOUR
• LUSTRE
• MORPHOLOGY
Color and Lustre Longitudinal View Cross Sectional View
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER

10. FIBER IDENTIFICATION
Identification of combustion Identification of dissolved
• Near the flame: Melt and curls • Milk fiber in 2.5% NaOH
• Then into flame: Burns solution, 100 degree for
• Leave the flame: combustion 30minutes after heating can
and sometimes eliminate be a unique milk protein fiber
dissolved phenomenon
• Burning Smell: hair burning
• Status: fiber swelling was
• Remnants of characteristics: rubbery freeze
Black and basic crisp, but a
trace amount lumps. • Colour changes: in the
entire dissolution process, the
fiber qualities of the colour
gradually changes from dark
red and then fade to pale
yellow .
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER

11. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
• TENSILE STRENGTH • EFFECT OF MOISTURE
Casein fiber has the tenacity of Casein tends to absorb moisture readily
2.8cN/tex when it is dry. When and the fibers become swollen and
wet the fibers lose much of their soft. They may become plastic and
strength then tenacity falls to , sticky as the temperature is raised.
2.4 to 2.6Cn/tex
• ELONGATION
• THERMAL PROPERTIES
60-70 percent, wet or dry
Casein fibers generally soften
on heating, particularly when • EFFECT OF AGE
wet. Fibers become brittle and
yellow on prolonged heating. Very resistant
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER

12. CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
• EFFECT OF ACIDS • MICRO-ORGANISMS
Casein is stable to acids of Casein fibers are attacked by mildews,
moderate strength under particularly when moist.
normal conditions.
• ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
• EFFECT OF ALKALIES Dielectric strength of casein fibers is
Casein is sensitive to alkali. low
• EFFECT OF ORGANIC
SOLVANTS
Dry cleaning solvents do not
cause damage.
• INSECTS
Casein fiber is not attacked by
moth grubs to the same degree
as wool.
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER

13. OTHER PROPERTIES
• Casein fibres resemble wool in having a soft warm handle. The fibres are
naturally crimped and yarns have a characteristic warmth and fullness
handle. Casein fibres provide good thermal insulation. They are resilient
like wool
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER

14. PHYSICAL PROPERTY COMPARISON
Property Casein fiber Cotton Silk Wool
Length (mm) 38 25-39 ----- 58-100
Fineness (dtex) 1.52 1.2-2.0 1.0-2.8 6-9
Dry tensile strength(CN/dtex) 2.8 1.9-3.1 3.8-4.0 2.6-3.5
Dry breaking elongation rate (%) 25-35 7-10 11-16 14-25
Wet tensile strength (CN/dtex) 2.4 3.2 2.1-2.8 0.8
Wet breaking elongation rate (%) 28.8 13 27-33 50
Friction coefficient (static) 0.187 - 0.52 0.24
Friction coefficient (dynamic) 0.214 - 0.26 0.384
Logarithm of mass specific resistance (Wg/
9.1 6.8 9.8 8.4
cm2)
Initial modulus (CN/dtex) 60-80 60-82 60-80 44-88
Moisture regain (%) 5-8 7-8 8-9 15-17
Specific weight (g/cm3) 1.22 1.50-1.54 1.46-1.52 1.34-1.38
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER

15. FIBER TO FABRIC FORMATION
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER

16. SPINNING
• PRETREATMENT
The mass specific resistance of milk protein fibre is larger, so the
pre-treatment before scutching is more important.
• MILK FIBER BLENDS
• Cool type
• Thermal protection type
• Top grade underclothes
• Health care and body beauty
• Home textile supplies
• OPENING AND PICKING
The compressed mass of raw fibre must be removed from bales.
With good uniformity and less impurity, the milk protein fibre is
bulky and it is easy to open. Opening is necessary in order to
loosen the fibres and cleaning is done to remove the trashes
present in the fibres
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER

17. SPINNING
• CARDING
The objective of the process is to further open and clean the
remaining impurities in the fibres delivered from the opening
and picking line. It must be detangled and straightened.
• COMBING
The main objective of this process are the reduction in short
fiber content, removal of trash and neps. Production of more
straight, parallel and uniform sliver.
(Contd..)
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER

18. SPINNING
• DRAWING
The main objective of this process is to improve fibre orientation
by aligning the fibres in one direction. Since the milk protein
fibre is bulky and with weaker cohesion force, the extended
parallelization of fibre in card sliver is worse, and much hooked
fibre exists, the extended parallelization of fibre should be
improved as much as possible during drawing to reduce its
weight irregularity.
• ROVING
This process prepares the drawn sliver for the spinning process
by converting it into an intermediate strand. It also helps in the
further reduction of yarn
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER

19. SPINNING
• SPINNING
Spinning is the twisting together of fibers to form yarns. Since
the fibre is soft, smooth and with weaker cohesion force, the
amount of hairiness and thick and thin yarn always appears
during spinning.
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER

20. WEAVING PROCESS
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER

21. WEAVING PROCESS
• WINDING
The yarns are wound into larger spools or cones which are
placed on the racks. In winding, the electronic clearer is used
and the air splicer is adopted to piece.
• WARPING
Warping is the process of making warping beams in which
several warp ends are wound parallel to each other within
known length of yarn.
• SIZING
Sizing of the warp yarn is essential to strengthen the yarn by
adding starch to reduce breakage of the yarn and thus
production stops on the weaving machine. On the weaving
machine, the warp yarns are subjected to several types of
actions i.e. cyclic strain, flexing, abrasion at various loom parts
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER
and inter yarn friction.

22. WEAVING PROCESS
• WEAVING
It is the process in which two distinct sets of yarns called warp
and the filling yarn are interlaced to form a fabric. There are no
special difficulties in weaving blend yarns .
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER

23. WET PROCESSING
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER

24. WET PROCESSING
• DESIZING
It is done to break down the size. Enzyme products may be
used, preferably at pH 4.0 to 6.0. If water soluble sizes have
been used, desizing is not necessary
• SCOURING
It is processed mainly to remove the impurities present in the
fiber. Synthetic detergents should be used, preferably under
acid conditions .
• BLEACHING
It improves whitness by removing natural colour and remaining
impurities in the fiber. In common with all wet processing,
bleaching should be carried out if possible under weekly acid
conditions, as casein fibers retain maximum strength and
minimum swelling under these conditions.
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER
(Contd…)

25. WET PROCESSING
• DYEING
It is the process of imparting colours to a textile material
through dye. Dyes can penetrate into the fiber without
difficulty. In general, casein can be dyed with the dyestuffs used
for wool.
• DRYING
After dyeing, loose stock and yarns may be centrifugally
hydroextracted before being dried in conventional plant. Woven
fabrics can be hydro-extracted by open width suction machine,
or by centrifuging in open width.
• PRINTING
Applying coloured patterns and designs to decorate a finished
fabric is called printing. Casein blend fabrics can be printed
very effectively. Good results necessitate through preparation. If
singeing is needed a light treatment with a low burner will be
sufficient. A thorough scour is essential.
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER

26. WET PROCESSING
• FINISHING
Milk protein fiber products should be after treated, such as
crease-resist finishing and softening, to keep it soft and delicate.
• Crease resistant finishing-The crease resistant finishing agent has more
choices and the environmental finishing with good crease resist effect
should be selected.
• Softening-During dyeing and producing, the milk protein fiber fabric feels
hard after crease resistant finishing in high temperature and tension. In
order to make fabric full and soft, softening is needed and softening with a
suitable softening agent is an effective method.
• CARBONISING
The vegetable matter is destroyed by soaking the cloth in weak
acids and then heating in an oven. Casein will withstand the
carbonizing treatment when carried out with the minimum
strength of sulphuric acid necessary for the effective removal of
vegetable matter .After treatment the material should be well
rinsed.
(Contd…)
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER

27. WET PROCESSING
• MILLING
Casein fiber itself does not display any milling properties, and
blends of casein with other non-felting fibers such as rayon
staple or nylon should not be processed in milling machines. A
suitable milling medium is a mixture of 2 parts of soap to 1 part
of synthetic detergent. A thorough washing off is essential after
scouring or milling in order to remove soap and alkali.
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER

28. ADVANTAGES OF CASEIN FIBER
• It is hygienic and flexible
• It is highly smooth, sheen and delicate
• It is moisture absorbent, permeable and heat resistant
• It is colour fast and easily dyeable
• It can be blended with other fiber
• It is renewable, biodegradable and eco- friendly fabric
• It is great for sensitive skin as it has the same pH level as
human skin
• It is environment- friendly and is considered as green product
• It contains 15 amino acids and natural anti-bacterial rate is
above 80 percent so it has sanitarian function.
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER

29. DISADVANTAGES OF CASEIN FIBER
• It gets wrinkles easily after washing and needs to be
ironed every time.
• It should not be washed in machine and that is because
it's not a very hard fiber
• It has a low durability
• Due to abundance of other fabrics like polyester, milk
fabric never really became that popular
• It is expensive
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER

30. APPLICATIONS
APPLICATIONS
• Intimate garments
• Children’s garments
• T-Shirts
• Sweaters
Women’s Garments
• Women’s garments
• Sports wear
• Uniforms
• Bedding
Eye Mask
• Eye mask Socks Hats
New born’s bath towels Dog’s Garment
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER

31. OTHER END USES
OTHER END USES
• Plastic
• Glues Plastic and buttons Glue
• Cosmetics
• Knitting needles
• Pigments
• Pens Knitting Needles Pigments and Paints
• Coating paper
• Leather Chemicals
• Aluminum Foil
• Paints
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER
Casein Paintings Pens

32. AFTER CARE
• WASHING
Garments containing casein fiber should be washed with care
and treated very gently. High temperatures and strong acid
or alkaline conditions must be avoided. Neutral detergents
are preferable for washing.
• DRYING
Garments should be dried as wool, care being taken to avoid
high temperatures
• IRONING
The full, soft handle of garments containing casein will be
maintained if they are slightly damp or almost dry before
being ironed or pressed. Wool settings should be used.
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER

33. AFTER CARE
• DRY CLEANING
Casein is not affected by dry cleaning solvents and garments
containing casein can be dry cleaned readily as wool .
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER

34. DESIGNERS
• DOLRES PISCOTTA has a background in the fine arts:
painting, sculpting, textile design and classical piano and
guitar.
• CASEY LARKIN and her label Mr. Larkin have been
making a big splash in the eco-fashion world over the last
year or so, impressing buyers, press and consumers alike in
showings at the D&A Green Market in LA and The Green
Shows in New York, and recently won the Readers Choice
Award for Emerging Designer of 2009 at ecouterre.com.
• PER SILVERTSEN; The luxurious fashion label Fin,
based in Oslo, The head designer Per Silvertsen was the
winner of Norway’s most prestigious designer fashion award,
Naloyet 2009. All Fin collections are 100% carbon neutral
and are made from organic materials such as cotton, bamboo,
baby alpaca, milk and silk.
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER

35. MANUFACTURERS
• Cyarn Textile Co., Ltd.
• Contact: info@cyarn.com
• Fabman Fabrics and Manufacture
• Contact: info@fabmanindia.com
• Euroflax Industries (Imports of Textiles)
• Contact: euroflax@euroflax.com
• Shanghai Zhaokai Import & Export Co
• Contact: http://zhaokai.en.made-in-china.com
• China Xhmart Textile Co., Ltd.
• Ningbo Guang Yuang Fabric Co, Ltd.
• Contact: http://www.new-fabric.com
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER

36. CONCLUSION
• All through the years, experts have been devoted to the researches on
improved fibers and at present they have succeeded in the development
of the globally advanced milk protein fiber, a milestone in the
international textile industry.
• Being the optimal combination of nature and hi-tech, it is more
accommodated to the needs of people’s modern lifestyle. So far clothing
made from milk is expensive so it has a limited market however a
handful of companies are experimenting with this fabric.
• Milk Fabrics are so skin-friendly that it itself makes us feel better. To
educate designers about these revolutionary materials, the future fashion
initiative offers a textile research team. Advances in science are also
helping to fill the green wardrobe of tomorrow. Sweaters are knit from
spun milk protein. These textiles are where the future innovations are
going to lie. It’s taking fashion to a whole new level where it never really
existed before- where it’s not just about looking good. It’s about feeling
good, too.
• The milk protein fiber is a fresh product as a superior green, healthy and
comfortable fiber, which will certainly become popular goods in the
market.
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER

37. THANK YOU!
ASHINI HARIRAM ON CASEIN FIBER