For the cooperation with Lidl within the project “Biodegradable textiles with prints” the CHT Group developed innovative recyclable textile print products.

These Lidl textiles are produced with CHT print pastes and pigments and were certificated by the internationally active consulting institute EPEA GmbH – Part of Drees & Sommer according to the Cradle to Cradle Certified Gold Standard. With this pilot project the companies demonstrate their sense of responsibility for people and the environment as well as their commitment in the field of circular economy.

The Cradle to Cradle approach

According to the Cradle to Cradle approach, shortly C2C, products shall merge into a biological or technical cycle after the end of their life cycle. This re-use helps prevent waste and save raw materials. The impact on the environment and health of all of the ingredients of C2C textiles is already tested in the design stage and during manufacturing. C2C experts additionally ensure a gapless control of the manufacturing processes. They check the chemicals in use, make sure that the water is kept clean and that renewable energies are used. Since this control affects the complete textile supply chain, it guarantees absolute transparency.

The CHT Group can now offer high quality and sustainable substitutes for common textile print pastes with its first biodegradable print pastes and pigments.

With the new CHT product range rated by EPEA, printed textiles can achieve the Cradle to Cradle Certified Gold Standard:

• Printperfekt CC | Pastes for screen printing

• Tubiscreen CC & Tubiprint CC | Pastes for continuous printing

• Tubivis DRL 170 | Thickener

• Bezaprint CC | Pigments

Ralf Kattanek, Group Vice President Textile of the CHT group:

“We are very proud that together with Lidl and its suppliers we can make our contribution to an increasingly important circular economy. With our new C2C printing range the textile industry is offered brand new possibilities and solutions for developing sustainable and recyclable textile products.”

EPEA – Circular Economy powered by Cradle to Cradle

EPEA GmbH – Part of Drees & Sommer is an international research and consulting institute for environmentally friendly products, processes and buildings. In cooperation with actors and companies from the economy, the public sector and science the 35 employees advise with solutions for the circular economy. They apply know-how gained from chemistry, biology and environmental science to develop or optimise the material health and recyclability of all types of products. They also work out concepts for closing material cycles in manufacturing processes, buildings or cities.

CHT Group

The CHT Group, a medium-sized global player for speciality chemistry, is worldwide active in development, production and sales. CHT Germany GmbH in Tübingen is the headquarters of the group of companies which focuses on sustainable chemical products and process solutions. Textile Solutions of CHT improve the quality, functionality as well as look and purity of textiles and optimise their manufacturing processes. The CHT Group with its own production and sales locations is represented by more than 29 companies worldwide. In the financial year 2018, the CHT Group generated a group turnover of 513 m Euro with around 2,200 employees.