The latest developments from Swiss speciality textile effects company HeiQ include a new 100% bio-based, non-silver odour control technology, and a “fast fabric” sampling tool that enables fabric managers at textile brands to get functional fabrics within two weeks.
Designed for use in sportswear and intimate apparel, HeiQ Fresh FFL (Fresh For Long) is a non-antimicrobial alternative to traditional odour control in textiles and is particularly suited to seamless garments made of synthetics that are prone to permastink, according to the firm, which claims the technology is the first of its kind.
This sustainable, fully biomass-derived Amino-Sugar-Polymer functions by binding proteins and other sweat components that can cause odour.
As a non-antimicrobial solution to odour control, the regulatory obligations normally associated with biocides are of no relevance when applying HeiQ Fresh FFL on garments and other textile products.
“Odour control efficacy is maximised with the correct technology-fibre match, as well as the right application of the technology in the textile finishing process,” explains Ralf Mundinger, HeiQ’s head of technology application. “While most odour-control textile finishing target polyester, the application is often limited to padding, which is not utilised for textiles that seamless garments are made of.
“HeiQ Fresh FFL can be used on both cellulosic and synthetic fibre. The flexibility of application of HeiQ Fresh FFL – can be done through either exhaust or padding – means that brands can apply it freely on different fibre and product design, including seamless garments. We see this as a clear advantage for our brand partners in the sportswear and intimate segment.”
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By GlobalDataMeanwhile, the firm has also developed a new “fast fabric” sampling tool – Heiq it! – which enables fabric managers at textile brands to get functional fabrics within two weeks.
Once registered online, brands will be able to choose a suitable fabric type and structure from HeiQ’s fabric library, select the desired functionality combination from the firm’s range of textile technologies, including dynamic cooling, advanced UV protection and durable odour control, and select testing requirements.
In addition, Heiq it! Also provides the option to either order dozens of meters of treated functional fabric or ready-to-test assembled half-side or fully treated tech-shirts to perform real-life wearer trials. Once the desired functional fabric sample has been configured and ordered, HeiQ’s application specialist in Switzerland starts to produce the sample and coordinates its performance verification testing.
According to Heiq, the online fabric configuration platform is going to accelerate, simplify and standardise the functional fabric sample ordering process, leaving more time for the essential wearer trial testing and performance evaluation of brands’ next textile product innovation.
Heiq it!, a preview of which will be demonstrated at IPSO Munich, Germany, this week, will go live at the end of March.
