The Shift to Bio-Based Auxiliaries in Textile Wet Processing: Recent Advances and Industrial Potential

Abstract

The textile industry is among the most resource-intensive sectors, heavily dependent on water, energy, and synthetic chemicals, particularly in wet processing stages such as desizing, scouring, bleaching, dyeing, printing, and finishing. Conventional practices generate vast amounts of contaminated wastewater, posing severe risks to ecosystems and human health. In recent years, growing environmental concerns and stricter regulations have accelerated the search for sustainable alternatives. Biotechnology offers promising solutions, including enzymes, biopolymers, plant- and agrowaste-derived materials, and microbial metabolites, which can replace conventional auxiliaries and reduce the ecological footprint of textile processing. This review provides a structured overview of recent advances in bio-based compounds applied across different stages of textile wet processing. Applications are critically assessed in terms of performance, efficiency, environmental benefits, and potential for industrial adoption. Current limitations, future outlooks, and examples of commercially available products are also discussed. By highlighting the most recent progress, this review underscores the potential of bio-based innovations to support the transition toward more sustainable and resource-efficient textile manufacturing.