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Dyeing/​Finishing/​Printing

Controlling the growth of unwanted bacteria

Durable quat-silane polymer system delivers optimal antimicrobial performance for all fibre types.

24th November 2021

Innovation in Textiles
 |  Burgdorf, Switzerland

Clothing/​Footwear, Sports/​Outdoor

Sanitized AG, headquartered in Burgdorf, Switzerland, has added a new product to its portfolio of antimicrobial solutions called Sanitized Puretec.

The non-leaching, metal-free and particle-free antimicrobial solution for textiles prevents the build-up of odour-causing bacteria, with long-lasting effects without release of the active ingredient, making it a safe and sustainable solution even after many washes.

Fuelled by the search for more sustainable antimicrobial solutions, marketplace demands for effective metal-free and particle-free odour control technologies have increased. Sanitized has managed to advance the durability and efficacy of Puretec, as a family of quaternary silane (quat-silane) based antimicrobial finishes which meet these demands.

Due to the active’s non-leaching nature, the quat-silane technology remains fixed to the fabric’s surface. Puretec technology has shown excellent performance on all fibre types, especially synthetic fibres like polyesters. It enhances functionality by utilising the high cationic charge density of a fully polymerized siloxane polymer network to reduce the microorganism on contact.

Extended wear

Puretec offers a unique solution for brands and retailers producing synthetic sportswear by allowing consumers to wear products for longer periods of time before having to wash them again.

Preventing bacterial growth not only significantly reduces odour formation but simultaneously protects the textile from bacteria-induced deterioration and discoloration, all of which can jeopardize the durability of the product. As demonstrated in various microbiological tests, Puretec guarantees optimal odour control performance even with ongoing washing and wearing.

The technology can be easily integrated into existing application techniques such as pad and exhaust and is compatible with other functional performance finishes. It exhibits excellent wash fastness and temperature stability and is dermatologically tested to be non-sensitising to human skin.

Properly treated quat-silane surfaces can deliver broad spectrum, durable antimicrobial properties to prevent bacterial attachment and biofilm formation on fabrics. Utilising appropriate test methods is critical to accurately measure and verify the microbiological performance of quaternary silane technologies.

Puretec odour control solutions have been tested through 40 washes using ASTM E3162-18, the industry standard wash durability method approved by the International Antimicrobial Council (IAC). As for the microbiologcal test method, the IAC recommends ASTM E2149-20 for the Puretec technology. Using IAC Certified laboratories with IAC verified test reports, brands and retailers can be assured that products have been tested by trained and proficient microbiology professionals.

www.sanitized.com

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