\u201cIt was during this journey that I saw for the first time isolated colored ponds polluted with a cocktail of dyes and auxiliaries scattered around the perimeter of the mill, contaminating the environment and imposing significant health hazards,\u201d El-Shafei, 2024 NC State Innovator of the Year<\/a> award winner, recalls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What he saw set the course for his career. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWitnessing this not only deeply saddened me,\u201d he says, \u201cbut also ignited a passion within to reduce the impacts posed by the global textile industry and to create a safer environment for generations to come.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Over the course of his career, El-Shafei has accomplished just that, most notably with a revolutionary sustainable dyeing technology. The proprietary chemistry of this technology is the basis for El-Shafei\u2019s new process for dyeing cellulosic fibers (such as cotton, viscose, lyocell and linen) that operates more efficiently and reduces the industry\u2019s environmental footprint as it furnishes zero effluent discharge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This groundbreaking invention played a large role in El-Shafei\u2019s nomination for Innovator of the Year. Only one faculty member receives the honor each year. Chancellor Randy Woodson and a committee of prior winners select the winner based on criteria that includes patents, licenses, industry collaboration and impact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI wholeheartedly believe that Dr. Ahmed El-Shafei stands out as one of the most innovative researchers I have had the privilege to work with at NC State,\u201d Associate Dean for Research Xiangwu Zhang wrote in his letter of nomination for El-Shafei. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The invention has the potential to make such a large impact because it tackles one of the most environmentally damaging processes within a highly polluting industry. The textile industry is responsible for 20% of global pollution, according to the European Environment Agency. A large portion of that 20% results from dyeing or other \u201cwet processes\u201d such as applying finishes for water repellency or other attributes to a product. Just as El-Shafei witnessed firsthand in Egypt, 25-30% of the dye used in the process, along with other dyes and chemicals, ends up in rivers and streams. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis chemical discharge poses serious threats to human health, aquatic life, and the overall ecosystem, tarnishing our planet\u2019s well-being,\u201d Zhang explains. <\/p>\n\n\n\n El-Shafei\u2019s new dyeing process negates this impact, preventing 99.9% of the liquid waste produced by dyeing from making it into a body of water. It\u2019s also good for business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Using the new technology, companies are able to use 80% less water and complete the process in a quarter of the time compared to traditional techniques. It also eliminates the need for antimicrobial finishes and meets existing industry performance standards. The innovation also aligns with a trend of consumers increasingly holding companies accountable<\/a> for their impact on the environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That combination of altruistic benefits and bottom line appeal is probably why industry giants have been so eager to partner with El-Shafei on this technology. With the help of the Office of Research Commercialization at NC State, El-Shafei has licensed his invention with OSM Shield and JB Martin using the names CLEAR and Oasis. These two partners are transitioning all 43 companies they work with to this new process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDr. El Shafei\u2019s work has the potential to bring about a transformative shift in the textile industry,\u201d JB Martin Vice President Tim Heller writes in his letter of recommendation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Executives from both OSM Shield and JB Martin say their experience working with El-Shafei and the success of his technology is opening the door for more collaboration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMany brands such as Ralph Lauren, PVH, and H&M have been following closely the progress we have made to date,\u201d OSM Shield founder and CEO Mark Walker writes in his letter of recommendation. \u201cPartner mills in China, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Turkey, Portugal, and Honduras have also been closely monitoring our success.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n The possibilities aren\u2019t limited to the textile industry. Specialty materials giant Eastman is partnering with NC State on a project with over $300,000 in funding to determine how El-Shafei\u2019s discovery of a novel technology can be applied to improve one of the company\u2019s commercial products. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEastman has a long history of innovation with cellulose and its ester derivatives,\u201d Dawn C. Mason, Eastman\u2019s Director of Corporate Innovation Excellence, writes in her letter of recommendation. \u201cThis technology by Dr. El-Shafei is an outstanding example of the potential to continue innovating and affording revolutionary discoveries with this versatile and sustainable material.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s still more work to be done, El-Shafei says. His next priority will be to expand the functionalities present within the technology and make the dyeing process even more cost-effective. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI really feel honored and privileged to receive this recognition,\u201d El-Shafei says. \u201cIt immensely strengthens my commitment to sustainability and motivates me more to make further revolutionary impacts in the textile industry for a better tomorrow and a more environmentally responsible industry for many generations to come.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false,"raw":"\n\n\n\n\n The story of this year\u2019s winner of one of NC State University\u2019s most prestigious awards begins 30 years ago and nearly 6,000 miles away in El-Mahalla El-Kubra, Egypt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Wilson College of Textiles Professor Ahmed El-Shafei<\/a>, who had just earned his master\u2019s degree and begun teaching at Mansoura University, was working on a research project about dye synthesis and dyeing. Due to limited resources, he had to make the trip to nearby Misr Spinning and Weaving Company, one of the world\u2019s largest mills, to collect data. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt was during this journey that I saw for the first time isolated colored ponds polluted with a cocktail of dyes and auxiliaries scattered around the perimeter of the mill, contaminating the environment and imposing significant health hazards,\u201d El-Shafei, 2024 NC State Innovator of the Year<\/a> award winner, recalls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What he saw set the course for his career. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWitnessing this not only deeply saddened me,\u201d he says, \u201cbut also ignited a passion within to reduce the impacts posed by the global textile industry and to create a safer environment for generations to come.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Over the course of his career, El-Shafei has accomplished just that, most notably with a revolutionary sustainable dyeing technology. The proprietary chemistry of this technology is the basis for El-Shafei\u2019s new process for dyeing cellulosic fibers (such as cotton, viscose, lyocell and linen) that operates more efficiently and reduces the industry\u2019s environmental footprint as it furnishes zero effluent discharge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This groundbreaking invention played a large role in El-Shafei\u2019s nomination for Innovator of the Year. Only one faculty member receives the honor each year. Chancellor Randy Woodson and a committee of prior winners select the winner based on criteria that includes patents, licenses, industry collaboration and impact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI wholeheartedly believe that Dr. Ahmed El-Shafei stands out as one of the most innovative researchers I have had the privilege to work with at NC State,\u201d Associate Dean for Research Xiangwu Zhang wrote in his letter of nomination for El-Shafei. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The invention has the potential to make such a large impact because it tackles one of the most environmentally damaging processes within a highly polluting industry. The textile industry is responsible for 20% of global pollution, according to the European Environment Agency. A large portion of that 20% results from dyeing or other \u201cwet processes\u201d such as applying finishes for water repellency or other attributes to a product. Just as El-Shafei witnessed firsthand in Egypt, 25-30% of the dye used in the process, along with other dyes and chemicals, ends up in rivers and streams. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis chemical discharge poses serious threats to human health, aquatic life, and the overall ecosystem, tarnishing our planet\u2019s well-being,\u201d Zhang explains. <\/p>\n\n\n\n El-Shafei\u2019s new dyeing process negates this impact, preventing 99.9% of the liquid waste produced by dyeing from making it into a body of water. It\u2019s also good for business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/tex-cloud-cdn.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/textiles-ncsu\/20241028234832\/Copy-of-Innovator-5-1024x576.jpg\")
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