BAVARIA – German filament yarn business, TWD Fibres, has launched a range of antimony-free polyester yarns. Antimony oxide is used globally as catalyst in polyester fibre and filament yarn production processes. There have been concerns that small quantities of these antimony compounds can dissolve out of the textiles through sweat and be absorbed via respiratory tract or skin, which can cause irritation of eyes, skin and lungs, especially for sensitive people. However, the amount of extractable antimony from polyester is tiny and therefore direct exposure for consumers and workers is likely to be very small.
