Revolutionizing textile manufacturing: Recent advances in the synthesis of chitin derivatives and their application in sustainable processing and multifunctionalization of textiles

The textile industry is recognized as a significant environmental polluter due to its reliance on numerous non-biodegradable and toxic petroleum-derived chemicals and polymers for textile processing. A considerable portion of these substances is discharged into the environment as effluent, resulting in significant pollution. To mitigate this reliance on petroleum-based chemicals and reduce environmental harm, a comprehensive approach is necessary, emphasizing the use of alternative feedstocks, enhancing energy efficiency, and implementing principles of a circular economy. In this context, chitin derivatives show great promise as substitutes for many of the chemicals and polymers currently utilized in textile processing. Recent advances in chitin derivatization have allowed for its derivatives to be employed in various applications: as a sizing agent for cotton warp yarns, a shrink-resist agent for wool fabrics, a mordant for dyeing textiles with natural dyes, a modifier for cellulosic fibbers for salt-free dyeing, and a finishing agent that imparts antibacterial, UV-protective, wrinkle-resistant, antioxidant, and fire-retardant properties to textiles. Chitin offers several advantages, including being renewable, non-toxic, biocompatible, and extractable from biomass. Nevertheless, challenges remain, such as high costs, scalability issues, and performance limitations, which hinder its broader application in textile manufacturing. Addressing these challenges will not only enhance the use of chitin in textiles but may also extend its impact across other sectors, such as medical textiles and biomedical materials. The integration of chitin and its derivatives in textile manufacturing has the potential to foster greener and more sustainable textiles by providing renewable, high-performance, and biodegradable auxiliaries and finishing agents. Successfully overcoming obstacles related to cost and performance will assist the fashion industry in achieving sustainability goals.