Schoeller Technologies AG is to show its highly water repellent Nanosphere technology at this week’s OutDoor trade fair which takes place in Friedrichschafen, Germany from 16-19 July. New tests show that Nanosphere finish lasts longer than conventional finishes.

NanoSphere combines high weather protection with breathability and long-term functionality, which Schoeller says is a pioneering finish that is the best choice for functionality, ecology and sustainability. The extremely high water repellence protects in bad weather without affecting breathability, the company says, and the long lasting finish will still be active when many commercial water and dirt repellent products have long failed. In addition, by using modern C6 fluorocarbons, the textile finishing is PFOA and PFOS-free*, Schoeller says.

Schoeller claims therefore, that  choosing NanoSphere today is the way to make a positive impact on the future. The company says that new tests prove that NanoSphere enjoys extraordinary resilience. Among many other rigorous evaluations, NanoSphere was tested in accordance with the AATCC test method 79. After 30,000 abrasion cycles, the water and oil repelling function of NanoSphere proved to be at the top level while a comparable, conventional finish dropped practically to zero after exposure to 5,000 cycles. A further feature of NanoSphere’s longevity is highlighted by the Bundesmann rain test. After ten minutes of constant exposure to rain with a simulated 100 litres of water on a 1m2 fabric sample, NanoSphere still displays a value of 4 (maximum = 6), while a conventional product achieved only a value of 1, Schoeller clims.

Schoeller says that this effect is a benefit for trousers or jackets, but is also proving to be an advantage for products such as belts and bags. NanoSphere was developed in Switzerland in accordance to the criteria of the Bluesign standard, the world's most stringent production standard for Environment, Health and Safety specifications (EHS).

*below limit of detection