Huntsman Textile Effects Introduces New PFC-free Durable Water Repellent in Performance Breakthrough
PHOBOTEX® R-ACE Raises the Bar for DWR Performance and Trouble-free Production
SINGAPORE – Huntsman Textile Effects has released PHOBOTEX® R-ACE, a breakthrough PFC-free durable water repellent (DWR) that makes it possible for mills and brands to deliver high-performance outdoor and extreme sports apparel and everyday wear while meeting stringent environmental standards and optimizing production flow.
PHOBOTEX® R-ACE delivers excellent water repellence on all types of fibers. In addition to its outstanding performance on synthetic fibers and blends, PHOBOTEX® R-ACE offers excellent compatibility with resin finishing to ensure even application with unmatchable performance on cellulosic fibers. It offers outstanding rain and splash protection for garments that are water repellent and windproof, even under the toughest conditions. Additionally, it repels everyday stains, such as mud, coffee, ketchup and juice, so that garments stay cleaner for longer. Textiles treated with PHOBOTEX® R-ACE are breathable, retain their soft handle and continue to look good and perform well through repeated laundering and drying.
“There is growing worldwide demand for garments that deliver high-performance weather protection and stain-resistance with improved sustainability. Achieving these attributes in concert has been challenging, as traditional non-fluorinated DWR technologies can have undesired side effects that impact fabric quality. Drawing on Huntsman Textile Effects’ research expertise and global operational experience, PHOBOTEX® R-ACE is a true breakthrough that helps mills and brands deliver excellent water repellence with minimal impact on fabric performance,” said Lutfu Okman, Vice President of Global Revenue, Huntsman Textile Effects.
The robust chemistry of PHOBOTEX® R-ACE achieves high repellency with significantly less chemicals added on to the fabric as compared to the typical PFC-free DWRs in the market. This helps mills minimize unwanted consequences like chalk marks, seam slippage issues and harsh handle. The breakthrough DWR also offers best-in-class runability, for faster trouble-free production and good reproducibility. Its excellent compatibility with resin finishing ensures even application with unmatchable performance on cellulosic fibers.
Critically, PHOBOTEX® R-ACE meets current and upcoming industry standards. The new DWR is PFC-free and formaldehyde-free PHOBOTEX® R-ACE meets the bluesign® criteria (imminent approval pending) and will be published on the ZDHC Gateway with Conformance Level 3, and suitable for STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® certified textile products. It also meets new bluesign® restrictions on 2-Butanone oxime in chemical products, which will come into effect in June 2022.
Textiles treated with PHOBOTEX® R-ACE qualify for the High IQ® Repel Performance Assurance scheme.
With PHOBOTEX® R-ACE, Huntsman Textile Effects is affirmed as the leader of the industry’s DWR transition. The innovation continues more than a decade of DWR breakthroughs from the Huntsman research labs team and partners, including PHOBOTEX® R, a pioneering PFC-free C0 technology introduced in 2010; ZELANTM R3, Chemours’ renewably sourced PFC-free DWR, launched in 2015; and the market-leading PFC-free PHOBOTEX® RSY range, introduced in 2017 for extreme DWR performance.
-ENDS-
bluesign® is a registered trademark of Bluesign Technologies AG
ZDHC™ is a trademark of Sustainable Brands
OEKO-TEX® is a registered trademark of OEKO-TEX® Association.
ZELANTM is a registered trademark of The Chemours Company FC, LLC
About Huntsman:
Huntsman Corporation is a publicly traded global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated and specialty chemicals with 2021 revenues of approximately $8 billion. Our chemical products number in the thousands and are sold worldwide to manufacturers serving a broad and diverse range of consumer and industrial end markets. We operate more than 70 manufacturing, R&D and operations facilities in approximately 30 countries and employ approximately 9,000 associates within our four distinct business divisions. For more information about Huntsman, please visit the company's website at www.huntsman.com.
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About Huntsman Textile Effects
Huntsman Textile Effects is the leading global provider of high quality dyes, chemicals and digital inks to the textile and related industries. With operations in more than 90 countries and six primary manufacturing facilities in six countries (China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Mexico and Thailand), Huntsman Textile Effects is uniquely positioned to provide prompt and expert technical service wherever our customers are based. Sustainability, innovation and collaboration are at the heart of what we do. We use cutting edge technology to develop solutions and create innovative products with intelligent effects such as durable water repellents, color fastness, sun protection or state-of-the-art dyes which reduce water and energy consumption. For more information about Huntsman Textile Effects, please visit www.huntsman.com/textile_effects.
Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain information in this release constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are based on management's current beliefs and expectations. The forward-looking statements in this release are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances and involve risks and uncertainties that may affect the company's operations, markets, products, services, prices and other factors as discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Huntsman companies' filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Significant risks and uncertainties may relate to, but are not limited to, volatile global economic conditions, cyclical and volatile product markets, disruptions in production at manufacturing facilities, reorganization or restructuring of Huntsman’s operations, including any delay of, or other negative developments affecting the ability to implement cost reductions, timing of proposed transactions, and manufacturing optimization improvements in Huntsman businesses and realize anticipated cost savings, and other financial, economic, competitive, environmental, political, legal, regulatory and technological factors. The company assumes no obligation to provide revisions to any forward-looking statements should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by applicable laws.