High-performance textile wash can also be a climate-conscious choice. In developing Kiilto Pro textile wash products, our RDI team focused on integrating sustainability without compromising effectiveness. This included eliminating phosphorus and phosphates from all formulations and replacing petroleum-based polymers with an upcycled lignin biopolymer, called LignoBrite, in our textile washing powders.
Lignin is found in the cell walls of trees, acting as a natural binder. The modified lignin biopolymer used in our textile wash powders is sourced from wild, FSC- and PEFC-certified* sustainable forests in the Nordic region. To be more specific, lignin is found throughout wood, often obtained as a byproduct of the pulping process.
“Lignin is abundantly available as an industrial side stream, so not a single tree is cut down to obtain this raw material. This is exactly what the circular economy is about – making use of existing resources that would otherwise go to waste.”
Tomi Peltonen
RDI Manager
In textile washing applications, LignoBrite acts as a natural binder as well. It binds and suspends soil that has already been released from textiles during the wash cycle. In addition, it has the ability to soften water by binding water hardness ions, contributing to better washing results. LignoBrite also has the ability to enhance anti-greying properties of the washing powders, helping in long-lasting brightness of textiles.
This multifunctional biopolymer enables the replacement of traditional fossil-based dispersant polymers without compromising washing performance. Extensive testing has confirmed that Kiilto Pro White Textile (formerly Kiilto Pro Ultra Textile) and Kiilto Pro Colour Textile (formerly Kiilto Pro BioColor Textile) perform at least as well as their previous formulations. Kiilto Pro Textile Wash (formerly Kiilto Pro Green Textile) has been completely reformulated — and its performance has improved across several key areas.
A new, innovative form of modified lignin biopolymer has been introduced in Kiilto Pro textile washing powders
The extracted, modified, and granulated form of lignin biopolymer we use resembles coarse coffee grounds in appearance — a natural and recognisable biomaterial that reflects its wood-based origin. Its brown tone can be seen within the otherwise white textile washing powders.
As a result, the wash water may occasionally appear slightly yellow or brown. However, this is no cause for concern. The lignin biopolymer is highly water-soluble, and it rinses out effectively, leaving no residues or stains on laundry, surfaces, or piping of the washing machine.
The life cycle of lignin
Certain fossil-derived substances, such as phosphonates, degrade extremely slowly in nature. Precise comparative data isn’t currently available, but lignin’s renewable origin and inherent biodegradability make it an interesting alternative.
The lignin biopolymer we use, LignoBrite, have undergone a rigorous Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), which is the most demanding form of environmental documentation. The EPD demonstrates up to 50% lower CO2 emissions throughout the life cycle compared to fossil-based polymers.**
Frequently asked questions about lignin
Is lignin safe for use on skin and fabrics?
Is a lignin-based washing powder suitable for microfibre textiles or can it cause clogging like zeolite?
What causes the yellowish colour of the wash water, and does it affect the textiles?
Does a lignin-based detergent effect on the scent of the textiles?
Does modified lignin biopolymer affect the colour or texture of textiles?
Are lignin-based detergents a better option for the environment?
Curious to learn more or ready to try our lignin-powered textile washing powders for yourself? Get in touch with your local textile washing expert from Kiilto or find the nearest retailer.
Enhancing wash results with LignoBrite
- Prevents soil from resettling on textiles during the wash cycle, contributing to the long-lasting cleanliness and brightness of textiles
- Enhances anti-greying properties of washing powders
- Acts as a water softener by binding water hardness ions
- A upcycled ingredient with lower environmental impact than synthetic, petroleum-based alternatives
- A former side stream from the paper and pulp industry, now repurposed as a valuable ingredient in textile care
You might also be interested in:
*FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification. Both Both certifications indicate that the forest is managed responsibly according to internationally recognized sustainability standards.
**Ecoinvent database was used for the dataset of fossil-based polycarboxylates.