Quick-Pick by System
| Fiber Type | Dye Class | Application Process | Typical Color Range | Recommended Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton (cellulosic) | Reactive Dye | Exhaust / Pad-Steam / Continuous | Full spectrum | Reactive Black 5, Blue 19, Red 195, Yellow 145 |
| Cotton (cellulosic) — Direct | Direct Dye | Exhaust, single-step | Brown / Black / Yellow | Direct dyestuff for leather, cotton |
| Cotton (Vat) | Vat Dye | Vat reduction then re-oxidation | Deep blue/indigo, deep colors | Vat Blue 4 (Indanthrone) |
| Cotton (Sulfur) | Sulfur Dye | Reduction-oxidation, dark heavy colors | Black / Navy / Brown | Sulfur Black 1 |
| Polyester | Disperse Dye | HT-HP / Carrier / Thermosol | Full spectrum | Disperse Blue 56, Red 60, Yellow 54 |
| Polyester — Print | Disperse Print | Sublimation / Print thickener | Bright colors, sharp print | Disperse print thickener + dye |
| Nylon (Polyamide) | Acid Dye | Exhaust, slightly acidic pH 4–6 | Bright colors, brilliant red | Acid Red 18, Blue 25 |
| Wool (Protein) | Acid Dye | Strong acid pH 2–4 | Full spectrum | Acid dye nylon-equivalent grades |
| Wool / Silk — Print | Acid Print Paste | Print application | Sharp bright colors | Acid dye print paste |
| Acrylic | Cationic Dye | HT-HP cationic exhaust | Brilliant colors | Cationic dye for acrylic |
| Leather | Acid / Direct / Reactive Leather | Exhaust on tanned leather | Earth tones, deep colors | Acid/Direct/Reactive dyestuff for leather |
| Hair Care (PPD-based) | Oxidative Dye Couplers | Oxidative dyeing | Black to light blonde | PPD intermediate, oxidative coupler |
All Grades (by chemistry class)
Reactive Dyes — Cotton / Cellulosic Fiber(0)
The largest dye category by global volume. Reactive dyes contain a reactive group (vinyl sulfone, chlorotriazine, fluorochlorotriazine, or bifunctional) that forms a covalent bond with cellulosic fiber hydroxyl groups, giving wash-fast bright colors. The pad-steam continuous process dominates volume cotton dyeing; exhaust dyeing serves smaller-batch operations.
Disperse Dyes — Polyester(0)
The second-largest dye category, exclusively for polyester (and increasingly for PLA bioplastic). Disperse dyes are water-insoluble small molecules that diffuse into the hydrophobic polyester fiber matrix at high temperature/pressure (130°C in beam dyeing, 220°C in thermosol continuous). Sublimation grades enable digital printing onto polyester.
Acid, Cationic, Direct, Vat, Sulfur — Specialty Fiber Classes(0)
Acid dyes for nylon and wool; cationic dyes for acrylic; direct dyes for cellulose (simpler than reactive but lower wash-fastness); vat dyes for deep-color cotton (denim indigo); sulfur dyes for dark heavy colors at low cost. Specialty leather dyes serve the global tannery industry.
Dye Intermediates — H-Acid, J-Acid, Aniline Derivatives(0)
Upstream precursors for dye synthesis. H-acid (8-amino-1-naphthol-3,6-disulfonic acid) is the workhorse intermediate for azo dyes (reactive, acid, direct); J-acid for high-purity blacks; aniline and its substituted derivatives (m/o/p-nitroaniline, p-chloroaniline) for azo dye diazotization; resorcinol for coupling. PPD (p-phenylenediamine) is the hair-dye intermediate. Concentrated in Henan (Xinxiang, Mengzhou) and Zhejiang.
Dye Auxiliaries — Fixing Agents, Soaping, Carriers, Print Pastes(0)
Process chemistry that supports dye application but is not the colorant itself. Reactive dye fixing agents improve wash-fastness; soaping agents wash out unfixed dye; dispersing agents (NNO/Setamol) keep disperse dye particles stabilized; print pastes carry dye through screen printing; pH buffers and water softeners ensure consistent bath chemistry.
Imported Brand → China Equivalent
Equivalents are indicative; verify against TDS for project-critical applications.
| International Brand Grade | China Equivalent | Major Chinese Producers |
|---|---|---|
| DyStar Remazol Black B (Reactive Black 5) | Reactive Black 5 | 浙江龙盛 (Longsheng), 浙江闰土 (Runtu), 江苏吉华 |
| Huntsman Avitera (multifunctional reactive) | Reactive Bifunctional Dye | 浙江龙盛, 浙江闰土 |
| DyStar Dianix (Disperse Blue 56) | Disperse Blue 56 | 浙江龙盛, 江苏亚邦, 闰土 |
| Clariant Foron (Disperse Red 60) | Disperse Red 60 | 浙江龙盛, 浙江闰土, 浙江山峪 |
| DyStar Telon (Acid Red 18) | Acid Red 18 | 浙江龙盛, 江苏吉华 |
| Sandoz Lanasyn / Tectilon (Acid) | Acid dye nylon equivalent series | 浙江龙盛, 江苏亚邦 |
| Ciba Astrazon (Cationic dye) | Cationic dye for acrylic | 浙江龙盛, 上海远东 |
| BASF Indanthrene Blue (Vat Blue 4) | Vat Blue 4 Indanthrone | 上海安诺其, 浙江龙盛 |
| LANXESS H-acid (intermediate) | H-acid 8-amino-1-naphthol-3,6-disulfonic | 河南新乡迈奇 (Maiqi), 江苏盐城天嘉宜, 浙江华星化工 |
| BASF Aniline (intermediate) | Aniline industrial grade | 山东金岭化工, 江苏南通星辰, 河南神马 |
| Hodogaya / Mitsubishi PPD | p-Phenylenediamine PPD industrial / hair-grade | 河南许昌恒生 (Hensheng), 江苏 BASF |
Frequently Asked Questions
▶Reactive vs Direct dyes for cotton — which should I choose?
Reactive dyes give bright, wash-fast colors (ISO 105-C06 ≥4 wash rating) at slightly higher cost — they covalently bond to cellulose. Direct dyes are cheaper and process-simpler but have moderate wash-fastness (rating 2–3) — they only physically adsorb to fiber. Modern cotton textiles use reactive; direct dyes survive in cost-sensitive markets and for after-treatment-improved formulations.
Reactive vs Direct dyes for cotton — which should I choose?
Reactive dyes give bright, wash-fast colors (ISO 105-C06 ≥4 wash rating) at slightly higher cost — they covalently bond to cellulose. Direct dyes are cheaper and process-simpler but have moderate wash-fastness (rating 2–3) — they only physically adsorb to fiber. Modern cotton textiles use reactive; direct dyes survive in cost-sensitive markets and for after-treatment-improved formulations.
▶What is the difference between disperse dye for HT and carrier method?
HT-HP (high-temperature high-pressure) at 130°C dyes polyester directly without carrier — the standard for new equipment. Carrier method at 100°C requires a swelling agent (e.g., dye carrier for polyester) to open the polyester structure — used in older atmospheric-pressure equipment. Thermosol (220°C continuous) is the third method for woven fabric.
What is the difference between disperse dye for HT and carrier method?
HT-HP (high-temperature high-pressure) at 130°C dyes polyester directly without carrier — the standard for new equipment. Carrier method at 100°C requires a swelling agent (e.g., dye carrier for polyester) to open the polyester structure — used in older atmospheric-pressure equipment. Thermosol (220°C continuous) is the third method for woven fabric.
▶Why do my reactive-dyed cotton fabrics fade in wash?
Three common causes: (1) unfixed dye not properly washed off (need adequate soaping), (2) hydrolyzed dye precipitation in the bath, (3) high alkalinity damaging the covalent bond during washing. Use after-treatment with reactive-dye fixing agent and proper soaping protocol.
Why do my reactive-dyed cotton fabrics fade in wash?
Three common causes: (1) unfixed dye not properly washed off (need adequate soaping), (2) hydrolyzed dye precipitation in the bath, (3) high alkalinity damaging the covalent bond during washing. Use after-treatment with reactive-dye fixing agent and proper soaping protocol.
▶Which dye intermediates are restricted by REACH or ETAD?
Specific azo-cleaving amine intermediates (24 listed in EU directive 2002/61/EC) are banned from textiles entering EU markets — benzidine, 4-aminobiphenyl, o-toluidine, etc. Dyes that release these amines upon reductive cleavage are prohibited. Most modern reactive, disperse, and acid dyes are designed to avoid these intermediates.
Which dye intermediates are restricted by REACH or ETAD?
Specific azo-cleaving amine intermediates (24 listed in EU directive 2002/61/EC) are banned from textiles entering EU markets — benzidine, 4-aminobiphenyl, o-toluidine, etc. Dyes that release these amines upon reductive cleavage are prohibited. Most modern reactive, disperse, and acid dyes are designed to avoid these intermediates.
▶Why do Indian textile dye houses prefer Chinese dyes over Indian-made?
Chinese dyes typically offer better batch-to-batch shade consistency (deviation <0.5 ΔE vs Indian 1–2 ΔE), broader product portfolio depth per category, and competitive pricing on bulk-volume contracts. Indian dye houses use Chinese dyes for shade matching to international brand specs, while Indian producers retain domestic-market volume on commodity grades.
Why do Indian textile dye houses prefer Chinese dyes over Indian-made?
Chinese dyes typically offer better batch-to-batch shade consistency (deviation <0.5 ΔE vs Indian 1–2 ΔE), broader product portfolio depth per category, and competitive pricing on bulk-volume contracts. Indian dye houses use Chinese dyes for shade matching to international brand specs, while Indian producers retain domestic-market volume on commodity grades.
▶What is the typical CIF price differential between Chinese and EU dyes?
Commodity-grade reactive and disperse dyes from Chinese producers are 50–70% lower CIF than equivalent DyStar / Huntsman / Clariant grades. The gap narrows to 25–40% for specialty multifunctional reactive dyes (Avitera-equivalent), and to 15–25% for high-end disperse dyes with proprietary chromophores.
What is the typical CIF price differential between Chinese and EU dyes?
Commodity-grade reactive and disperse dyes from Chinese producers are 50–70% lower CIF than equivalent DyStar / Huntsman / Clariant grades. The gap narrows to 25–40% for specialty multifunctional reactive dyes (Avitera-equivalent), and to 15–25% for high-end disperse dyes with proprietary chromophores.
▶What documents and certifications come with the dye?
COA (color strength, shade ΔE, moisture, salt content, banned amine test per ISO 17234), SDS/MSDS, TDS standard. OEKO-TEX 100 certificate available for finished-textile-grade dyes; ZDHC MRSL compliance for global apparel brands (Levi's, H&M, Inditex, Nike supply chain). ETAD compliance statement for EU buyers.
What documents and certifications come with the dye?
COA (color strength, shade ΔE, moisture, salt content, banned amine test per ISO 17234), SDS/MSDS, TDS standard. OEKO-TEX 100 certificate available for finished-textile-grade dyes; ZDHC MRSL compliance for global apparel brands (Levi's, H&M, Inditex, Nike supply chain). ETAD compliance statement for EU buyers.
▶MOQ, packaging, lead time for dye export?
Samples 0.5–2 kg free; standard commercial MOQ 100–500 kg for finished dye, 1 metric ton for intermediates (H-acid, aniline). Packaging: 25 kg fiber drum (most common), 1 t bulk-bag, 50 kg HDPE drum for liquid. Lead time Asia 2-3 weeks, EU/NA 5-7 weeks, India 10-15 days.
MOQ, packaging, lead time for dye export?
Samples 0.5–2 kg free; standard commercial MOQ 100–500 kg for finished dye, 1 metric ton for intermediates (H-acid, aniline). Packaging: 25 kg fiber drum (most common), 1 t bulk-bag, 50 kg HDPE drum for liquid. Lead time Asia 2-3 weeks, EU/NA 5-7 weeks, India 10-15 days.