Archroma claims ‘eco-advanced’ DWR finish reaches new performance heights
Chemicals maker Archroma has launched a new product for water repellency for outdoor clothing designed for polyester, polyamide and cotton-based textiles.
It claims Smartrepel Hydro achieves a level of performance for cotton and synthetic fibres and blends as yet unattainable with alternative non-fluorine solutions, and similar to C6-based solutions.
Archroma’s micro-encapsulated technology uses a repelling agent and anchoring agent that create water protection, breathability and durability. It says the finish overcomes the limitations of comparable non-fluorine products, and achieves a soft and bulky hand-feel and strengthens the fabric against abrasion and tearing, without any yellowing.
Smartrepel Hydro is not based on fluorine chemistry, PFC, PFOA, PFOS or solvents, so it supports the increasing adoption of eco-advanced materials and production processes, says the Swiss group, and the protective properties last for more than 20 washing cycles.
Georg Lang, head of product marketing in the textile division of Archroma, said: “Smartrepel Hydro combines two benefits that were long awaited, especially by the outdoor textile segment: a nature-friendlier chemistry, together with long-lasting, efficient water repellency for both synthetic and cellulosic fibres. With its strong eco-profile, supported by recognised eco-certificate, and unmatched performance Smartrepel Hydro now offers the market a positive alternative to conventional fluorocarbon-based water repellency products.”
