The environmental impact of the textile and fashion industries, particularly driven by fast-fashion consumption, has increased the demand for technologies that extend garment durability while supporting sustainability. In the fabric care market, innovations that protect textile fibers during domestic laundering represent an important strategy to reduce premature garment disposal and encourage more responsible consumption.

This work presents a bio-based polymer developed to improve textile durability in laundry applications such as detergents and fabric softeners. The polymer is synthesized through green chemistry processes using renewable raw materials. It is produced by radical polymerization of itaconic acid in aqueous medium followed by esterification with glycerol, generating hydroxy-ester polyitaconate structures. The synthesis approach minimizes hazardous reagents, reduces waste generation, and lowers energy consumption while producing a biodegradable material compatible with home care formulations.

The mechanism of action is based on intermolecular interactions between hydroxyl and carboxyl groups of the polymer and hydroxyl groups present in cellulose fibers. These interactions promote polymer deposition and adhesion on textile surfaces, modifying fiber viscoelastic properties. As a result, fibers become more flexible and resistant, reducing fiber breakage and detachment during repeated washing cycles.

Performance was evaluated through standardized textile testing methods after multiple domestic washing cycles using both detergent and fabric softener systems. Anti-pilling performance was assessed using the Martindale method (ASTM D4970), while mechanical resistance and deformation were measured through adapted tensile tests (ISO 13934-1). Additional evaluations included wrinkle recovery and microscopic analysis.

Results showed significant improvements in textile preservation. The bio-polymer reduced pilling formation by up to 70% in softener systems while improving fabric conditioning, increasing elongation performance, and reducing residual deformation. Wrinkle reduction and improved softness perception were also observed.

Overall, the results demonstrate that bio-based polymer technologies can effectively enhance textile longevity while supporting more sustainable fabric care solutions.