Plasma-based manufacturing of textiles has three important advantages over conventional wet-processing methods:
- Lower cost of consumables and operation
- Product differentiation
- Improved environmental and energy consumption
Unlike "dip-and-cure" treatments, in which the entire fiber is soaked with expensive chemicals, plasma treatment applies the desired attribute only where it is needed: on the surface of the yarn or fabric. This makes it possible to reduce the consumption of expensive chemicals by 90 percent or more, compared to conventional processing. Also, plasma treatment applies the active chemicals in the gas phase, so they penetrate all regions of the surface, including regions that liquid chemicals would have difficulty reaching due to of surface tension. It also makes it possible to treat both sides of a fabric differently - for example, applying a water-repellent finish on one side and a wicking finish on the other. This can provide an important means for product differentiation.
Conventional Padding Process: 
Padding is one treatment process using a conventional "dip and cure" technology. Note the considerable size of the machinery required for keeping fabric in an oven for the required treatment time when the fabric is moving at 100 m/min.
Plasma Process:
In the plasma treatment, the fabric is placed against an electrode, and the side exposed to the plasma is treated. Here, functional chemical species are shown in a greatly exaggerated view to simplify the treatment process.
Additional Advantages
APJeT's plasma technology is all-dry, so plasma-treated textiles usually do not require subsequent drying. APJeT's technology can lower energy costs and increase worker comfort, because the plasma-treatment process does not generate any steam or humidity.
Plasma treatment also makes it possible to perform processes sequentially. The fabric can't carry contamination from one dip tank to the next, as is often the case in conventional finishing lines.
Finally, chemicals are applied only during operation of the plasma and with the fabric present. This significantly reduces chemical waste, which also reduces or eliminates the disposal cost for chemicals, a common problem in "wet" processing of fabric. This has benefits for the textile manufacturer by reduction of chemical usage, while also reducing the environmental concerns that mills have regarding waste disposal.
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