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/* Innovation opportunities */
===Dyeing and finishing===
Certain types of dyes are suspected [http://www.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carcinogen carcinogens ] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutagen mutagens], while other dyes are known to have a sensitizing effect on skin and should be avoided. Untreated dye water can negatively impact receiving water bodies and harm aquatic ecosystems if left untreated before its release.
====Durable water repellents (DWR)====
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durable_water_repellent Durable water repellents ] (DWR) are applied to polyamide 6 and 6,6 garments and products to allow for breathability and water repellency. Fluorochemicals are commonly used in these water-repellent finishes and waterproof membranes (thin films or coatings attached to the back of fabrics to prevent water from passing through). Two fluorinated compounds are of most concern, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), since they are known to have persistent, bioaccumulative and toxicological effects on the environment. The European Union has banned PFOS and some countries in the EU have also banned PFOA.[6]
Waterproof membranes are engineered to be breathable, and are commonly derived from petroleum and made using PFOA.
==Innovation opportunities==
1. Investigate alternative technologies for colouring polyamide fabrics, such as transfer printing, which eliminates water from the dyeing process.[17]<br/><br/>
2. Design garments and products with reusable elements for easy disassembly. Design the product so that trims, tags, buttons, etc., can be easily separated from the main body of the product at the end of its useful life, to enable easy in-house recycling. Create collection systems for the products. Collect, disassemble, reuse.<br/><br/>
3. Create internal store collections of polyamide 6 and 6,6 garments and products. Use fabric from collected garments and products to innovatively redesign new products and prolong the lifecycle.<br/><br/>
