Role of mordants in natural fabric dyeing and their environmental impacts

The textile industry is undergoing a transformative shift towards sustainability, driven by mounting environmental concerns and consumer demand for eco-friendly products. This review article explores the use of mordants in textile dyeing processes, encompassing both traditional metal mordants and emerging bio-mordants. Metal mordants, commonly used in textile dyeing, present environmental challenges due to their toxic nature. In response, there is a growing interest in bio-mordants derived from natural sources such as plants and waste materials, offering a more environmentally friendly alternative. The review provides an overview of various mordants, including their sources, properties, and applications, highlighting their roles in enhancing fabric color fastness and functional properties. In addition to evaluating the environmental implications of metal and bio-mordants, the review identifies the key challenges involved in adopting bio-mordants on an industrial scale, such as availability, cost, and processing limitations. The potential benefits and limitations of both types of mordants are discussed in the context of sustainability, alongside recent technological advancements and innovative approaches to natural dyeing. By understanding and embracing mordants, particularly bio-mordants, the textile industry can progress towards sustainable coloration practices, meeting the demands of environmentally conscious consumers.