High Performance in Durable Water Repellents

Huntsman Textile Effects launches PFC-free durable water repellent in performance innovation. PHOBOTEX® R-ACE raises DWR performance and seamless production standards. Huntsman Textile Effects has launched PHOBOTEX® R-ACE, a groundbreaking PFC-free durable water repellent (DWR) that enables brands and mills to deliver high-performance outdoor and extreme sports apparel and everyday wear while meeting strict environmental standards and optimizing production flow. PHOBOTEX® R-ACE provides exceptional water repellency on all fiber types. Beyond superior performance on synthetic fibers and blends, PHOBOTEX® R-ACE offers excellent compatibility with resin finishing to deliver consistent application with unique performance on cellulosic fibers. Even in the most demanding conditions, it provides extraordinary protection against rain and water splash for water-repellent and windproof garments. It also repels everyday stains such as mud, coffee, ketchup and fruit juice, keeping garments cleaner for longer. Textiles treated with PHOBOTEX® R-ACE remain breathable, preserve their soft hand feel, and continue to look good and perform well through repeated washing and drying. Lütfü Okman, Vice President Global Revenue at Huntsman Textile Effects, said: "There is growing worldwide demand for garments that deliver high-performance protection against weather conditions combined with enhanced sustainability and stain resistance. Since traditional non-fluorinated DWR technologies can have undesirable side effects that impact fabric quality, achieving these properties together has been difficult. Leveraging Huntsman Textile Effects' research expertise and global operational experience, PHOBOTEX® R-ACE is a true breakthrough that helps mills and brands achieve excellent water repellency with minimal impact on fabric performance." The robust chemistry of PHOBOTEX® R-ACE delivers high repellency with significantly less chemical added to the fabric compared to typical PFC-free DWRs on the market. This helps mills minimize unwanted outcomes such as chalk marks, seam slippage problems and harsh hand feel. The groundbreaking DWR also offers best-in-class processability for faster trouble-free production and good reproducibility. Its excellent compatibility with resin finish provides consistent application with unique performance on cellulosic fibers. PHOBOTEX® R-ACE meets current and future industry standards critically. The new DWR is PFC-free and formaldehyde-free, meets bluesign® criteria (approval expected soon) and will be published on ZDHC Gateway at Conformance Level 3 and is certified for STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® textile products. It also meets new bluesign® restrictions on 2-butanone oxime in chemical products effective June 2022. Textiles treated with PHOBOTEX® R-ACE qualify for the High IQ® Repel Performance Assurance plan. With PHOBOTEX® R-ACE, Huntsman Textile Effects is recognized as the industry leader in the DWR transition. The innovation continues more than a decade of DWR breakthroughs from Huntsman research laboratory teams and partners, including PHOBOTEX® R, a pioneering PFC-free C0 technology introduced in 2010; Chemours' bio-based PFC-free DWR ZELANTM R3 launched in 2015; and PFC-free PHOBOTEX® RSY series introduced in 2017 for extreme DWR performance.   SOURCE