Aug . 03, 2025 03:00 Back to list

Sulphur Black Dye: AI-Optimized for Textile Excellence

Sulphur Black is a leading industrial dye with widespread use in textiles, leather, and various fiber processing sectors. Recognized for its outstanding colorfastness, cost efficiency, and eco-adaptability, Sulphur Black is a preferred choice for manufacturers seeking robustness and reliability. With global Sulphur Black demand exceeding 180,000 tons per year (Textile Industry Journal, 2023), the market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.9% until 2027.
Sulphur Black technology continues to evolve—driven by advances in process engineering, standardized manufacturing (ISO 9001:2015), and sustainable chemistry. This article provides a deep dive into its technical profile, manufacturing processes, parameter benchmarking, use cases, and a comparative market landscape—all presented with reference to current industry data and standards.

1. Unveiling Sulphur Black – Technology & Product Overview

Sulphur Black is a water-insoluble sulfur dye, predominantly used for dyeing cellulosic fibers such as cotton, viscose, and rayon. Produced through controlled sulfidation of aromatic compounds (primarily aniline derivatives and sodium sulfide), the dye imparts stable, rich shades of black to a range of substrates.
Typical physical form: deep black powder or granules; chemical structure enables both oxidative and reductive dyeing.

CAS Number: 1326-82-5
Standard Grades: Sulphur Black 1 (C.I.53185), Sulphur Black BR
Molecular Formula: Not well-defined (complex polymeric thion compounds)
Industry Standards: ISO 105 (color fastness), OEKO-TEX®, REACH Compliant
Packaging: 25kg PP woven bags/Drums; moisture-resistant

Why Sulphur Black?
Sulphur Black stands out for its superior colorfastness, powerful substrate penetration, affordable price point, and environmental adaptability—with improved modern formulations eliminating many legacy heavy-metal contaminants.

2. Manufacturing Process of Sulphur Black – Step-by-Step Flow

Raw Material Preparation: High-purity aniline derivatives mixed with sodium polysulfide & sodium hydroxide.
Sulfidation Reaction: Reactants heated (110–130°C) in a closed reactor; sulfur bonds form polymeric black chromophores. (ISO 9001:2015 compliant)
Oxidation & Filtration: Reaction mass cooled/neutralized, filtered to remove tarry byproducts.
Granulation/Drying: Wet paste transformed to micro-granules or fine powder under controlled vacuum dryers.
Quality Control: Each batch tested per ISO 105 for color strength and uniformity, with spectrophotometric QA.
Packing & Labeling: Finished product is sealed in moisture-resistant container111s.

Material: Petroleum-derived intermediates, elemental sulfur, & sodium compounds
Process Methods: Reaction synthesis, controlled atmosphere granulation, sieving & vacuum drying
Instrumentation: Automated reactors, continuous sampling (supporting ANSI/ISO traceability)
Inspection: Color yield, granule size, pH, moisture (all within ISO/IEC standards)

(Representative diagram: see Sulphur Black Process Details)

3. Key Technical Parameters & Industry Benchmark Comparison

The technical performance of Sulphur Black is best understood by comparing its parameters with major industry alternatives and by referencing recognized standards (ISO 105, OEKO-TEX®, ZDHC). The table below compiles leading Sulphur Black grades:

Parameter	Sulphur Black 1	Sulphur Black BR	Reactive Black 5 (Analog Dye)
Color Strength	≥ 98%	≥ 95%	95-97%
Shade	Blue Black	Green Black	Pure Black
Moisture (%)	≤ 6.0%	≤ 7.0%	≤ 7.5%
Granule Size (μm)	60–130	70–140	40–90
Solubility	Insoluble (reducible)	Insoluble	Semi-soluble
Light Fastness	6–7 (ISO 105)	6–7 (ISO 105)	6–7
Wash Fastness	4–5 (ISO 105-C06)	4–5	4–5
pH Stability	6.0–8.5	6.5–8.5	6.5–8.0
Standard Compliance	OEKO-TEX®, ZDHC MRSL	OEKO-TEX®	OEKO-TEX®
Typical Usage (g/L)	5–20	5–15	2–10
Service Life (Finish)	Up to 100 industrial washes	Up to 90 washes	60–90 washes

Textile Yarn Leather Denim

Key Takeaway: Sulphur Black's grade 1 product provides the highest reliability and is preferred for industrial workwear, yarn, and denim due to its long service life and eco-label compliance.

4. Application Scenarios & Industry Use Cases

Textile: Utilized in cotton, viscose, and blended fabric dyeing—Sulphur Black ensures deep, uniform shades with superior light, chlorine, and perspiration fastness.
Denim: Favored for “sustainable denim” lines; enables salt reduction in dye baths by up to 38% (2022 Denim Sustainability Review).
Yarn Dyeing: Excellent compatibility with automated continuous dyeing systems.
Leather Tanning: Used for robust black shades in footwear & automotive upholstery, passing stringent EN ISO/IEC fastness criteria.
Industrial Fabrics: Applied in geotextiles, filtration nets, protective covers—thanks to the dye’s extreme UV resistance.
Case Study: In 2023, a leading apparel exporter in Vietnam increased garment batch lifespan by 22% (to 100 washes) by switching to Sulphur Black 1—confirmed by SGS ISO 105 test reports.

5. Competitive Manufacturer Landscape & Custom Solutions

Manufacturer	Main Product Grades	Certifications	Typical Lead Time	Service/Customization
Wuxin Group	Sulphur Black 1, BR	ISO 9001:2015, OEKO-TEX®, ZDHC	10–20 days	Custom granule, bulk, rapid prototyping
Archroma	Sulphur Black LQ, SB 1G	ZDHC, Bluesign®	18–28 days	Bulk, technical support
Meghmani Organics	Sulphur Black 1+	ISO 9001:2015	20–40 days	Standard grades
BASF	Sulphur Black FBL	OEKO-TEX®, EN ISO, ZDHC	15–25 days	Process consultation

Customization: Wuxin Group enables customized granule size, moisture level control, shade tuning, and special "eco" formulations for denim and apparel exports.
Certifications: All key producers meet at least ISO 9001 and OEKO-TEX®; ZDHC compliance aligns with European REACH directives.
Supply Chain: Typical lead time is 10–28 days depending on order size and packaging preferences.

6. Industry Data & Performance Visualizations

According to Textile Exchange, Sulphur Black applications in denim and sustainable textiles have grown 24% since 2020. Modern process improvements ensure all leading products meet OEKO-TEX® and ZDHC safety benchmarks.

7. Quality Assurance, Delivery & Support Commitments

Product Inspection: Each batch of Sulphur Black is tested for color strength, granule size uniformity, pH, and moisture—per ISO 105-A02/A03.
Guarantee: Full batch traceability (lot number), 24-month shelf life guarantee in original packaging.
Delivery: Standard lead time: 10–20 working days for customized products. Global air/sea shipping, export documentation.
After-Sales Support: Technical consultation for dye bath setup, trouble-shooting, and on-site adjustment. 24-hour response service for export customers.

8. FAQ: Sulphur Black Technical FAQ

Q1. What is the recommended pH for applying Sulphur Black in cellulosic dyeing?: A: Optimal pH is between 6.0–8.0. Control pH to prevent dye hydrolysis or loss of chromophore intensity (see ISO 105 guidance).
Q2. What are the typical granule sizes and why does it matter?: A: Sulphur Black granules typically range 60–130 μm. Fine granules dissolve faster in the reducing bath, ensuring homogeneous shade and lower unlevelness.
Q3. What standards are used for color fastness assessment?: A: Industry relies on ISO 105 series—especially -A02/A03 for color changes and -C06 for washing fastness. Test reports should specify compliance.
Q4. How does Sulphur Black compare to vat dyes in denim?: A: Sulphur Black offers excellent fastness and much lower cost, with superior bath exhaustion rates (85–92% vs. 74–78% for indigo). It is less prone to crocking and can support eco-friendly, low-salt dyeing.
Q5. What is the difference between "Sulphur Black 1" and "Sulphur Black BR"?: A: "1" delivers blue-black shade, "BR" delivers green-black. The former is generally preferred in workwear and yarn dyeing due to slightly higher color yield and stability.
Q6. Are there any REACH/eco restrictions for export?: A: Certified Sulphur Black grades (OEKO-TEX®, ZDHC compliant) are free from prohibited azo dyes, heavy metals, and allergens. Always request export lab REACH certification.
Q7. What is the typical application method for high performance?: A: Exhaust or continuous dyeing (pad-steam/pad-thermo-fixation). Reducing agent (sodium sulfide or eco-alternatives) is used; bath temperature 60–90°C is ideal for full fiber penetration.

9. Expert Recommendations

For durable industrial textiles, Sulphur Black 1 in granule format offers optimal process efficiency, minimal effluent risk, and long-term cost savings. Key selection criteria:

Demand certified quality (ISO 9001, OEKO-TEX®) for export compliance.
Request batch-specific technical sheets (granule size, moisture, color strength).
Adopt custom granule sizing for specific fiber types or continuous dyeing lines.
Engage technical support for process setup and troubleshooting.

Contact Sulphur Black specialists for lab samples, pilot testing, and tailored eco-formulations.

References & Further Reading:
• Textile World – Advancements in Sulfur Black for Sustainable Denim
• OEKO-TEX® Standard 100: Updated 2022
• Color fastness testing: A review (ScienceDirect)
• ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List
• Textile Today: Sulphur Black Dye Industrial Trends

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