Proof is in the savings ...

• Innovative solution can help transform an energy and high-impact water-proofing process into a cleaner, more cost-effective one
• The process uses 80 % less chemical substances, and completely eliminates the need for rinsing water

Europlasma has quickly grown from a start-up to an SME turning over millions of euros in low-pressure plasma technology which protects surfaces against moisture and all forms of liquids in an energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly way. The company is active in three markets: the textile sector (more specifically sport and ski clothing), electronics, and filtration applications (e.g. mouth masks, where it all started for Europlasma).

In textiles, there is a movement towards eliminating the wet-chemical processes currently used to coat textiles with protective layers that resist water and oil, for example. The use of Europlasma technology has moved into the sector, and is being accelerated as a result of increasing pressure from environmental groups. In the textile sector, walking shoes, ski material and other clothing is water-proofed by being submerged in chemical baths of toxic substances. The technque uses high levels of water and energy in rinsing installations and long, energy-intensive drying processes.

Key results

Together with a well-known producer of water-proof sports clothing, Europlasma has proven its low-pressure plasma technology is more sustainable:

• 80 % reduction in the chemical process substances
• 50 % less energy use
• 100 % reduction in the use of rinsing water 

With an annual production of 2 million metres of textile, this means a reduction from 1 million kilowatt hours to 500 000 kilowatt hours, and the elimination of around 50 000 litres of rinsing water per year.