Class X student develops waterless dyeing machine using compressed carbon dioxide

A Class X student of Vellalar Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Erode, has developed a prototype machine that can dye clothes using compressed carbon dioxide instead of water, offering a potential alternative to conventional water-intensive textile dyeing processes.
Mehavaeshna, who developed the machine, said the technology could substantially reduce water consumption in textile dyeing units and help minimise the volume of coloured effluents generated during conventional processing. At present, dyeing units consume large quantities of water, with treated effluent being recycled or discharged through regulated treatment systems.
According to her, the machine uses carbon dioxide in a compressed form as the medium for transferring colour to fabrics. The process could make dyeing more economical and environmentally friendly while reducing dependence on water and the manpower required for conventional operations.
She said the colours produced through the process were designed to have good resistance to fading and remain durable for several years. The machine could also be used for dyeing different types of fabrics, she added.
The project highlights the potential for cleaner textile-processing technologies in regions such as Erode, where textile and dyeing activities generate significant demand for water and effluent-treatment infrastructure.