This document provides information about casein fibre, including: - Casein fibre is made from milk protein casein and has properties similar to wool. - The manufacturing process involves dissolving casein in alkali and extruding it through spinnerets into an acid bath to form fibers. - Casein fibre can be dyed, printed, and finished similarly to other natural fibers like wool. - Casein fibre is moisture-absorbent, breathable, and antimicrobial. It provides benefits for skin and sustainability compared to other fibers.

1. Casein Fibre
An Innovative Milk Fibre
Presented by:
Mona verma
Ph.D Research scholar,
I.C . College of home science, ccshau, hisar

2. CONTENTS
Introduction
Types of casein
Technical uses of casein fibre
Benefits of casein fibre
Manufacturing process of casein fibre
Qmilch fibre
Application of casein fibre
Conclusion

4. Casein is the principal protein found in cow’s milk from which it has been
extracted commercially for most of the 20th century.
It is responsible for the white, opaque appearance of milk in which it is
combined with calcium and phosphorus as clusters of casein molecules,
called micelles.
Milk fiber was invented in 1930’s in Italy and America to compete wool.
The fiber known as ARALAC, Lanatil, Merinova all different brands for the
same fiber manufactured from milk casein.
Introduction

5. The major uses of casein until the 1960s were in technical, non-food
applications such as adhesives for wood, in paper coating, leather finishing
and in synthetic fibres, as well as plastics for buttons, buckles etc.
The present age in textiles is tending more and more to the utilisation of
synthetic fibres.
The superior physical properties of wool have for long been the subject of
investigation by scientists, and therefore it is not unexpected that at this
particular period of civilisation a fibre aiming at the chemical constitution and
physical properties of wool should have been developed and made available
commercially. This fibre is one which we here have called "Casein
Fibre’’

6. The production of a synthetic fibre requires a plentiful supply of a cheap
raw material. In the case of the fibre under discussion, the raw material is
casein obtained from skim milk.
Nevertheless, the protein has already become established in several
industrial spheres, and there is certainly a surplus of skim milk which in
many parts of the world is assessed at a very low price and is available for
textile purposes.
Other proteins such as the vegetable proteins in the nut, and soya bean, are
also available, and have been converted into filaments, but casein stands pre-
eminent from the point of view of abundance, good colour, and the possibility of
isolating it without molecular breakdown.

7. Lanital was the first successful protein fiber from milk casein. Antonio Feretti was
granted a patent for this fiber from the Italian government in 1935. It was named
Lanital [lana = wool +ital = Italy], and manufactured by Snia Viscosa which called
the fabric a fancy rayon. It lasted into the early 40s and superceded by Merinova
which was used to blend with rabbit hair in the production of felts. Merinova was
discontinued in the late 1960s.
Fibers of both fabrics were very similar to wool and could be dyed by the same
processes, and like wool they were easily damaged by alkalis. Both had a resilient
wooly feel but were not as strong and firm nor as elastic as wool. Moths would not
attack and shrinkage was not as much as wool but fibers mildewed easily when damp,
an inherent characteristic of protein fibers as noted earlier.
file:///C:/Users/acer/Desktop/Swicofil%20

8. 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. 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.
What is casein fibre ???

9. Properties
Good moisture, absorption and conduction:
The fiber base body does not have regular channels, which makes the milk
fiber have as fine moisture absorption as natural fiber and better moisture
conduction than synthetic fibers - milk fiber is both comfortable and
permeable.
Vertical picture of fiber Horizontal picture of fiber

10. No Item name Index
1 Fiber tenacity (dtex) 0.8-3
2 Breaking tenacity (cN/dtex) 2.5-3.5
3 Breaking elongation rate (%) 25-35
4 Modulus (cN/dtex) 60-80
5 Standard moisture regain(%) 5.5
6 Specific resistance 1.5×104
7 Static friction coefficient 0.187
8 Dynamic friction coefficient 0.214
9 Color fastness to washing 4-5 grade
10 Fastness to crocking 4-5 grade
11 Fastness to perspiration 4-5 grade
12 Color fastness to light 4 grade
13 Pilling resistance 3 grade
Main Technical Indexes of Milk Protein Fiber

11. Constitutionally casein has a striking similarity to wool. It is a phospho-
protein built up from a number of amino acids.
Its main difference from wool as regards these constituents is in its low
sulphur content.
The comparative figures showing the elementary composition of casein
and wool are as follows—

12. Property
Milk protein
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/
cm2)
9.1 6.8 9.8 8.4
*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
Property comparison between milk protein fiber and other textile
fiber

13. Casein makes up approximately 80% of the protein in milk
with molecular weight ranging from 19,007 to 25,230
daltons. Casein contains many polar groups, such as -
COOH, -NH2, and -OH etc., which contribute to the
hydrophilicity, as well as the reactivity of the casein
molecules. Casein abounds in the world as a natural
polymer and thus made it an attractive natural resource
for improving the characteristic of synthetic fibers.
1. Liu, Y.H., Zhang, Y.Z., Liu, Z.Z. and Deng, K.L. (2002) Eur. Polym. J, 38, 1619–1625.
2. Liu, Y.H., Zhou, W.Q., Bai, L.B., Zhao, N. and Liu, Y.W. (2006) J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 100, 4247–4251.

14. Dairy products are an important source of food in the United States. There are
dairy farms in all 50 states and a reported 65,000 dairy farms in Kansas and
Missouri, which share the metropolitan statistical area of Kansas City. Both
states combined have close to 218,000 dairy cows state wide and produce
3,944,000,000 pounds of milk per year. The dairy industry is looking for ways
to address the problem of sustainability by diversifying their business model.
Milk waste offers unique opportunities to develop a local textile and apparel
industry. Casein fiber textile products, made from milk waste offer new
business opportunities for the dairy industry to compete in “green” markets.
By using waste, overall negative environmental impact of producing both
fabric and milk is reduced. Casein is a suitable material to produce fiber for
textiles.
USDA Agriculture Overview, Kansas & Missouri, 2010
Dairy Research Institute, 2011.

15. Commercial casein is generally made in two forms:
Rennet Casein
Acid Casein
Acid Casein which is used for spinning of textiles fibres. Acid casein may be made
either by precipitation from milk by mineral acids, or by separation after allowing
the milk to sour. The dried product is made into a solution using dilute caustic alkali.
The process of manufacture which follows is similar to that of other synthetic fibres,
the solution being extruded through fine holes into a coagulating bath.
The chemicals used, however, are different, and an essential part of the
process consists in a treatment to render the casein fibres insoluble, and
resistant to the various textile baths.
Types of Casein Fibre
Formaldehyde and aluminum salts are used in this treatment, and the rendering of
casein insoluble by these chemicals is a most important part of the process.

16. Technical Uses of Casein Fibre

17. Take sour milk, a raw material that is otherwise wasted
and unmarketable
Process it naturally until it becomes the most basic protein
in the milk, a protein called casein.
Process of Casin Fibre Manufacturing
The casein is dissolved in water that contains about 2 percent by weight
of alkali to make a viscous solution with 20 to 25 percent protein.

18. The solution, streaming from the holes of the spinneret, is immersed in
water that contains an acid.
The next step is to pump the filtered casein solution by a metering pump
through a platinum-gold alloy disc, or spinneret, which has thousands of
fine, accurately placed, and uniform holes.
The acid neutralizes the alkali used to dissolve the casein. The small,
continuous fibers are then stretched, treated in various solutions, and
collected by the spinning machinery.

19. A further treatment is needed in order to make the fiber resist the boiling
bath commonly used in dyeing wool.
The tensile strength of the yarn is enhanced by stretching the fiber while
it is being tanned with aluminum salts and formaldehyde.
Use it just like regular thread

20. WET PROCESSING
DESIZING
Enzyme products may be used, preferably at pH 4.0 to 6.0. If water soluble
sizes have been used, desizing is not neccessory It is done to break down the
size.
SCOURING
It is processed mainly to remove the impurities present in the fiber. Synthetic
detergents should be used, preferably under acid conditions .
BLEACHING
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. It improves whitness by removing
natural colour and remaining impurities in the fibre. If alkaline processing is
used, it must be followed by careful washing and acidification with acetic acid.

21. DYEING
Casein absorbs moisture readily and does not have a highly orientated
structure. Dyes can penetrate into the fibre without difficulty.In general,
casein can be dyed with the dyestuffs used for wool. Acid, basic, direct and
disperse dyes are used where good washing fastness is not a prime
essential.
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.
A recommended drying procedure is either to dry on a slack drier, followed
by stentering or to dry and finish on an over feed stenter. It is essencial to
allow an adequate shrinkage from grey to finished dimensions.

22. 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. Casein
fibre is generally white and bleaching is not usually necessary. If required,
a mild peborate or peroxide bleach should be used under controlled
conditions. After preparing the fabric should be dried on the tins under
minimum warp tension followed by white room stentering to a stable
width. Fabrics containing casein may be printed by block, screen, roller,
surface roller, and modified paper printer methods. Acid, basic, direct,
chrome, mordant, azoic, vat or pigment dyes may be used.

23. 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.

24. CARBONISING
The process is the same for cloth as for loose wool. The vegetable matter is
destroyed by soaking the cloth in weak acids and then heating in an oven.
Casein will withstand the carbonising 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 and
adjusted to pH 4 with sodium bicarbonate.mCarbonising may be carried
out before or after dyeing. If done after dyeing it eliminates the general
tendency of the process to cause unlevel dyeing.

25. 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. Acid
milling has been used with success for blankets, and its general for most
felted structures..Hat bodies of wool or fur blended with casein and other
felts of various kinds are generally milled with phosphoric or sulphuric acid
preferably at low temperatures.

26. The most important material of milk fiber
is milk protein, which contains 18 kinds of
amino acids, with natural and permanent
bacteriostatic function. The plentiful
natural protein humectants factor is
contained in the milk fiber; which makes
skin more delicate and smooth, so it is
beneficial to human health.
It feels like silk to the touch.
It requires no special care because of its natural protein base.
It is renewable, biodegradable and eco- friendly fabric in the long run.
It provides a balance between the 3Ps.
Benefits of Casin Fibre

27.  It is hygienic and flexible.
 It is moisture absorbent, permeable and heat resistant.
 It is colour fast and easily dyeable.
 It can be blended with other fiber.
 It is great for sensitive skin as it has the same pH level as human
skin.
 It is considered as green product.
 It contains anti-bacterial rate is above 80 percent so it has
sanitarian function.

28. In a 2005 study conducted at Woodbury Elementary school in Minnesota, it was found
that, in a five day period, a population of 652 students plus a faculty and staff of 100
produced 66 gallons of milk waste in their normal cafeteria operations. This amount
represented 45% of their total cafeteria waste. Collection of school and other
institutional waste milk can be sourced along regular dairy distribution routes. With
more than 50 elementary schools in the Kansas City metropolitan area, the supply is
adequate to provide the raw material for a sizable textile industry. A new textile and
apparel industry could be formed by cooperating with an existing one. The casein fiber
textiles can be made from 100% wasted milk.
When people recognize that the amount of milk wasted offers enough raw materials to
create an entire new industry, they will make efforts to eliminate the waste.

29. Anke Domaske, a German designer and chemist, has created a casein fiber
she calls Qmilch that uses only organic waste milk, little water to produce, (2
gallons to produce 2 pounds of fabric as opposed to 10,000 liters used in
cotton) and is biodegradable (Associated Press, 2011). She claims to have
created a recipe that uses only natural ingredients to enhance the fabric’s
qualities in the processing. Her fabric sets a precedent for a sustainable
casein textile and was listed as one of Time magazine’s top 50 inventions for
2011.
Strasser, S. (1999). Waste and want: A social history of trash. New York: Metropolitan Books.
Southward, C. (1998). Dairy products/casein products. In J. E. Packer, J. Robertson, & H. Wansbrough (Authors), Chemical
processes in New Zealand (2nd ed.). Retrieved from http://nzic.org.nz

30. It is a biopolymer that consists of 100% natural ingredients. This is different
from other products, which will be ‘bio-based’.
It is extremely environmentally friendly:
- It only takes 2 minutes to produce
- It is produced at low temperature
- There is no waste produced at all and
- It uses a waste product from the dairy
industry.
Qmilch: A Milk Fibre

32. Difference between Natural and Chemical Fibres

34. Applications
Sweaters
Women’s
Garments
Bedding
Intimate
Garments
Uniforms Sports Wear
Eye Mask
Children’s
Garments
HatsSocks
T-shirts
New Born’s
Bath Towels

35. Cho,2014 stated that the casein films and short cellulose reinforced casein
films were successfully manufactured and characterized. These films might
find use in packaging applications. The film made of neat casein without the
addition of the plasticizer are mostly fragile. As the glycerol content increased,
the films became more stretchable with decrease in the mechanical and
thermal stability of the film. The addition of short cellulose fibres increases
the thermal stability and tensile strength of the film, but the fibres decreased
the maximum elongation and transparency of the film. The casein films made
from 20 wt% glycerol and 20 wt% cellulose, show improved tensile strength
and good thermal stability, but lower percentage of elongation.

36. Anka Domaske claims Qmilch has essential amino acids that are healthy for
human skin (Sevcenko, 2011). Further claims include that the material is
antibacterial and hypoallergenic, qualities that lend themselves to basic
products like infant cloth diapers or undergarments, yet these claims would
need to be corroborated through the development processes of the locally
produced casein fiber.
Sevsenko, M. (2011, October 24). The Futurists: Clothing from milk :The latest in green technology: Spinning thread from milk byproducts. GlobalPost. Retrieved from
http://www.globalpost.com

37. The study reported on the effects of bovine serum albumin and casein on grafting
of muga (antheraea assamensis helfer)silk fibers using initiator 2,2’
azobisisobutyronitrile. FTIR studies confirm the chemical binding of the proteins
onto muga fibers through shifting of the major amide bonds, accredited to
grafting. Scanning electron microscopy imaging revealed that the tensile strength
of the fibers increases with the augmentation in grafting percent. The grafted
fibers showed no loss in weight after chemical resistance measurement
indicating stable bond formation between the proteins and the fibers.
Moreover, the water retention capacity and dynamic contact angle study of
grafted fibers suggest better hydrophobicity. Thus, the use of such eco-
friendly grafting agents for enhancing the strength and stability of silk fiber
proves to be more beneficial than to other chemical grafting agents in
producing efficient and environment-friendly silk for various applications in
textile and other biomaterial fields.(Choudhury, 2015)

38. A novel chemical modification method of acrylic fiber was employed by grafting
of casein—a natural polymer, onto the surface of acrylic fiber. The effects of
reaction conditions, such as chlorination time, chlorination temperature, grafting
time and temperature, and pH value on grafting efficiency were investigated
systematically. The structure and morphology of the casein grafted fiber were
characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning
electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that casein had been grafted
onto the acrylic fiber. Moisture absorption, water retention and specific
electric resistance were found to be improved compared with the untreated
fiber. Mechanical properties of the grated fiber could still meet the
requirement for wearing fiber. (JIA, 2006)

39. R-53
It appeared around 1941; R for research and 53 indicating it was the 53rd fiber
tested in a search for a fiber which was suitable to manufacture felt hats. This
fiber was finer than Aralac and was used to blend with rabbit fur in making felt
for hats. Little information is available. It was listed by this name as late as
1953 but seems to have disappeared. Possibly the fiber might have been
renamed or absorbed by Merinova or failed to survive as a competitor.

40. 1. Cool type：（milk fiber/silk, bamboo fiber, natural silk, cashmere）
Moisture retentive, sweat conductive, comfortable and ventilative, has pleasant
gloss, do not lose its straight character in being soft and smooth, can wear
outside, can show out the elegance, person's taste and it is really good for
health.
2. Thermal protection type：（milk fiber/mercerized wool,cashmere）
Milk albumen fiber is a kind of three-dimensional and multigap structure, its
characteristic of light weight and high moisture absorption make it become
extremely good cold-proof material; it is light and thin and cold-proof,
comfortable and healthy.
MILK FIBER BLENDS

41. 3.Top grade underclothes：（milk fiber/cotton, cashmere）
The milk protein has abundant amino acid and natural wet protecting gene; it
can moisten the skin and raise the skin, restrain the fungus and health care;
when close-fitting wearing, it will take good care of your skin, make you
younger, more beautiful.
4. Health care and body beauty： (Milk fiber/cotton, Leica）
Fashion, soft and light, health care. It combines the beauty and health together;
reach the effect of beautifying body while being comfortable.
5. Home textile supplies: (Milk fiber/cotton, silk）
Milk fiber can regulate air quality, promote the human blood circulation, make
you feel like you're taking a shower in milk and return to nature; in the noisy
city, it is likely to open up a pure land, make the family life more warmhearted,
and full of interest and charm.

42. Sohail et al. 2006 developed wax applied casein films to improve the
water barrier property. In order to improve the mechanical properties of
a polymer material, fibre reinforcements are commonly added.
Cellulose fibres, derived from trees or annual plants, have been
investigated for this purpose.
S. S. Sohail, B. Wang, M. A. S. Biswas, and J. H. Oh, J. Food Sci., 71, C255 (2006).

43. The milk fiber currently offered by one international supplier, Doshi Group,
cannot be considered sustainable, even if waste milk is used, because the fiber
is blended with acrylic, a synthetic chemical requiring a dying process
potentially harmful to workers. A casein/ acrylic blend is more difficult to dye
than a natural protein fiber according to pro chemical dye company expert
Nancy Rodriguez because dying acrylics requires auxiliary processes that
require ventilation. Rodriguez explains that acrylic is often used in fabrics
because it is an inexpensive additive. Its use complicates the end of lifecycle
considerations, as well as environmental impact of casein fabrics.
Limitation of Milk Fibre Uses

44. Though caseins can be laundered with care the same as wool, they loose
strength when wet and must be handled gently.
They cannot be kept damp for any length of time due to quick mildewing.
Aralac was blended with rabbit fur in making felt hats and with wool, mohair,
rayon and cotton in varying proportions for fabrics and garments. Although
clothing in this fiber was available as late as 1947, the impact of man-made
fibers following the war caused the demise of this fiber in 1948 as it could not
compete with the low price of new synthetics. Plus when damp, this fabric
smelled like sour milk, causing many consumer complaints, a quite common,
familiar ailment within the casein family.

45. 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.
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.
CONCLUSION

46. MANUFACTURERS
• Cyarn Textile Co., Ltd. • Contact: info@cyarn.com
• Fabman Fabrics and Manufacture • Contact: info@fabmanindia.com in
india
• 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

47. Casein fibers were commercially produced in various countries with trade
names such as :
Aralac and Caslen (U.S.A)
Lactofil (Holland)
Cargan (Belgium)
Tiolan (Germany)
Silkool (Japan)
Fibrolane (England)
Lanital and Merinova in Italy.
Wipolan in Poland.
REGISTERED TRADEMARK
Milkofil® is used to make light weaves with a soft silky
aesthetics that allow the skin to breathe and humidity to
be absorbed. Milkofil® is a registered trade mark of
Filati Maclodio, who make a variety of yarns both pure
and in blend with cotton and Lenpur®.
Milkofil®, made from pure 100% milk fiber.