Stone Wash performed with ENZYBOOSTER is a technical proposal for industrial washing denim. Superior faded look is achieved with several advantages, both technical and operational.

1. ENZYBOOSTER
WASHING DENIM
WITH A STONE-FREE
PROCESS

2. ENZYBOOSTER
EVOLUTION OF WASHING
Birthplace of Denim is France
(Nimes) and it´s main use was as
work clothes in the United States
during the California gold rush
in the 1850's and the 1930's
between the cowboys; companies
like Levi's, Lee and Wrangler
marketed a product for work
without washing and sturdy
fabric, fashion as we understand
today does not occur until senior
designers began showing their
designs on these garments
during the 1980s, even though
hippies, rebels and artists were
already differentiate their "look"
with this garment and denim
had gained popularity worldwide.
Stone Wash process appears in
1981 and its advantage is that it
gives the garment a soft handle
and aged-look was done along
with abrasion produced by
pumice stones in the washing
machine. Subsequently appeared
enzymes, microorganisms that
work on cellulose cotton, which
has the advantage of giving effect
with less weakening of fabric as
does the pumice stone,
disadvantage is the back
staining of indigo which is solved
by adding chemicals to minimize
this contamination. The
advantage is that it requires less
rinsing processes compared with
the case of the process with
pumice stones.
Enzymes are eco-friendly to the
environment, in the case of
pumice stones there are
disadvantages for removal
residual pumice from processed
clothing items, the damage to the
equipment for the overload of
tumbling stones and particulate
material can also clog machine
drainage passage and drains and
sewer lines at the machine site.
The bio-stone wash (process with
enzymes) is used in many cases
in combination with pumice
stone to shorten process times
and improved look. Some
products like Perlite (silica rock)
and other options that attempt
to substitute the use of pumice
stone are tested and included to
the process, attempting to avoid
the disadvantages mentioned
above.
The option presented here, is a
new process of bio-stone
washing, by using a bio-
degradable compound working in
process with acid, hybrid or
neutral cellulase enzymes:
ENZYBOOSTER.

3. ENZYBOOSTER is a special
compound, it works as a booster
for such enzymes increasing
efficiency and time of process,
achieving desirable appearance
and soft handle for fabric.
Second advantage, back staining
is reduced, an ideal bio-stoning
enzyme would posses high
abrasive activity as well as low
back staining. Superior
performance compared to
cellulase enzymes with pumice
stone performance. It can works
as a substitute in the Stone
Wash achieving a better quality
process, less fibre damage,
increased lightness for different
denim (100% cotton and
polyester-cotton blends) but with
accomplishment for “look” on
each part of the garment in
question. If required, can be
achieved a high degree of
abrasion using ENZYBOOSTER,
cellulase enzymes and pumice
stone, advantages still continues.
DOSAGE AND OPERATING CONDITIONS
We recommend tests to compare the degree of aged-look
achieved with pumice stone to define the appropriate
percentage, even though from experience a dose of 250
grams equals a pumice stone weight of 12 kilograms and can
serve as reference to begin test runs. Cellulase enzymes are
compatible with the product, operating times as well as the
temperature and pH conditions can be handled routinely.
In the following figures, the differences are observed by
using ENZYBOOSTER, invariably comparing two images by
figure, which shows the results of the standard and the
results obtained with the ENZYBOOSTER. The first five
figures show results using acid cellulase enzyme in process,
figures of six to ten are the results using neutral cellulase
enzyme.

4. CHEMPRO 2013/R01 ENZY-EV

Process using Acid Enzyme and pumice stone (Left) and process using Acid
Enzyme and ENZYBOOSTER (Right).
The tests are performed at room temperature (25 ᵒ
C) and the difference
is remarkable with a degree of superior clean fabric and hems obtained
with ENZYBOOSTER, even when the enzyme acid generates most back
staining of indigo. Seams retain their tone and there is no fouling. The
working pH is 5.5 to confirm the better performance and lower fouling is
achieved with our product. Figure No. 2 shows the degree of clean is

5. achieved even when the various technical studies confirm the
superiority in neutral enzyme cleaning with pumice stone (1), the re-
deposition mechanism (2) and the mechanisms which has attempted to
reduce fouling, either by means of surfactants or protease enzymes and
special enzymes compositions working at higher pH (3).

Process using Acid Enzyme and pumice stone (Left) and process using Acid
Enzyme and ENZYBOOSTER (Right).
Figures No. 1 to the No. 5 show sections to undergo comparison of
several items and can confirm the usefulness of the proposed process.
Regarding the degree of cleaning process, is the result of post washing
enzymatic process consisting of Polyester ABS (anti back staining, 2.0
gr/lt) and Cotton ABS (2.0 gr/lt) with a cycle of 10 minutes at room
temperature to both cases.

6. CHEMPRO 2013/R01 ENZY-EV

Process using Acid Enzyme and pumice stone (Left) and process using Acid
Enzyme and ENZYBOOSTER (Right).

7. 

Process using Acid Enzyme and pumice stone (Left) and process using Acid
Enzyme and ENZYBOOSTER (Right).Both cases.

8. CHEMPRO 2013/R01 ENZY-EV

Process using Neutral Enzyme and pumice stone (Left) and process using
Neutral Enzyme and ENZYBOOSTER (Right).
The tests are performed at room temperature (25 ᵒ C) and most notably
the finish you get is an even higher degree of clean fabric and hems with
ENZYBOOSTER, even when the enzyme generates the lowest re-
deposition of indigo. Retain their tone seams, no difference in both
cases. The working pH is 7.0 to confirm the better performance and
lower fouling is achieved with our product. Figure No. 7 shows the
degree of clean even when the enzyme is neutral cellulase for both
cases.

9. 
Process using Neutral Enzyme and pumice stone (Left) and process using
Neutral Enzyme and ENZYBOOSTER (Right).
In the experience of operation and according to the degree of clean
fabric obtained, the results are acceptable to consider comparing the
look and clean achieved with acid enzyme process and ENZYBOOSTER
against the results of the neutral enzyme and pumice stone, it is shown
in the figures no. 11 and 12.
The cleaning stage is performed after enzymatic process consisting of
Polyester ABS (anti back staining, 2.0 gr/lt) and Cotton ABS (2.0 gr/lt)
with a cycle of 10 minutes at room temperature to both cases. This was
the same washing process in case of acid enzyme.
Figures from no. 6 to no. 10 will be the comparative details for the
neutral enzyme process.

10. CHEMPRO 2013/R01 ENZY-EV

Process using Neutral Enzyme and pumice stone (Left) and process using
Neutral Enzyme and ENZYBOOSTER (Right).

11. 

Process using Neutral Enzyme and pumice stone (Left) and process using
Neutral Enzyme and ENZYBOOSTER (Right). Both cases.

12. CHEMPRO 2013/R01 ENZY-EV

Process with acid cellulase enzyme and ENZYBOOSTER (Left) versus process
with neutral cellulase enzyme and pumice stone (Right).
From the results shown, we compare the degree of clean fabric is
achieved, the most interesting is to obtain high degrees of abrasion and
low back staining with acid enzyme to overcome results giving neutral
enzyme.
We know that the cleaning process is achieved with wash cycles
including different compositions from alkaline compounds to washing
with peroxide and other oxidative chemicals. But in our case, is
obtained in less time and resources.
The advantage in using ENZYBOOSTER is based on:
1. Cost savings in machine maintenance, cleaning and waste disposal of
pumice stone are avoided.
2. Superior look of garment because the contrast is better due better
clean fabric, worn look is more uniform and this is accomplished with

13. less processing time, both by the enzymatic process, cleaning times and
waste separation of stones and dust inside the bags garments. The
punctures that often causes the stone pumice are avoided using our
chemical product, better preserving of fabric thickness.

Process with acid cellulase enzyme and ENZYBOOSTER (Left) versus process
with neutral cellulase enzyme and pumice stone (Right).

14. CHEMPRO 2013/R01 ENZY-EV
Bibliography:
1. Montazer, M. Sadeghian Maryan, A. A comparative Study of Different Stone
and Bio-stone Washing of Denim, South branch of Tehran Azad University
(Report).
2. Cavaco-Paulo, A. Mechanism of cellulase action in textile processes,
Carbohydrate Polymers 37, 273-277 (1998).
3. Cavaco-Paulo, A. Morgado, J. Almeida, L. Indigo Backstaining During
Cellulase Washing, Textile Research Journal 68(6), 398-401 (1998).
For product samples and additional technical information, we are at
your service, feel free for call us.
CHEMPRO
Buenos Aires 199 Tec. Delfina Escalona Amaro
Santa Maria Zacatepec, e-mail: delfina.chempro@hotmail.com
Municipio Juan C. Bonilla Nextel ID: 52*14*61245
Puebla. C.P.72660 Tel: 01 2225901976
México. Ing. Alejandro Tiburcio Rangel
e-mail:alejandrotiburcior@hotmail.com
Nextel ID: 52*14*61246
Tel: 01 2225901005