Textiles Review |

Jeanologia Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary Transforming How Jeans Are Produced Worldwide

2025-12-30T10:00:00+00:00

Beyond technology, the company highlights that its greatest contribution has always been its people. Today, 200 professionals form a multicultural team united by the same mission and passion, to prove that a different way of producing is possible. Their expertise, creativity and purpose have been key to building a global ecosystem based on collaboration.

Looking ahead, Jeanologia continues advancing toward its MissionZero vision, aiming to eliminate the environmental impact of garment finishing. The company is now preparing the next major shift by integrating artificial intelligence, robotization and advanced automation to develop smarter, more precise, and efficient processes. These technologies will bring production even closer to the designer, connect creativity with the factory in real time and enable brands to respond more accurately to consumer demand without generating overproduction.

Jeanologia will also continue leading solutions that protect one of the planet’s most valuable resources, water. From full recycling systems to new finishing methods with minimal consumption, the mission remains unchanged, to eliminate the water impact of textile production and accelerate the transition toward truly circular models.

“We are not just celebrating 30 years; we are celebrating three decades of real impact. We have proven that technology can transform the industry and make it more human, sustainable, and efficient. And this is just the beginning. Our commitment is to continue driving a production model connected to designers, creativity, and real consumer demand, applying AI, automation and solutions that protect essential resources like water,” says Carmen Silla, Global Marketing Director at Jeanologia.

Thirty years later, Jeanologia remains driven by the same passion it started with, now reinforced by the strength, knowledge, and vision of a global leader. Its purpose remains unchanged, to create a clean, creative, and future-ready textile industry. The best of Jeanologia is still to come.

Brückner showcases Future-Proof Textile Finishing at ITMA ASIA 2025 in Singapore

2025-12-20T10:00:00+00:00

Brückner Textile Technologies is presenting German engineering expertise and energy-efficient line concepts at this year’s ITMA ASIA in Singapore. The family-run company has been a leader in customized technologies and solutions for textile equipment for over 75 years. The focus is on energy efficiency, automation, and maximum productivity.

Brückner stenter POWER-FRAME SFP-2

The new POWER-FRAME SFP-2 stenter frame generation is being presented, which is particularly attractive for finishing fabrics with a high cotton content. This machine can be used for drying and heat-setting processes, is easy to clean thanks to horizontally arranged lint screens, and features an intelligent split-flow air circulation system, a vertical circulating transport chain, and energy-efficient motors and gas burners. With this machine, Brückner offers an alternative to the high-tech POWER-FRAME SFP-4 stenter, which is efficient, requires lower investment costs, and has short delivery times.

Of course, the POWER-FRAME SFP-4 stenter, which is unmatched in terms of energy efficiency and ease of maintenance, will also be presented for challenging processes and finishing of technical textiles. Here, Brückner will introduce new features such as electricity- and hydrogen-powered heating systems and intelligent software solutions for optimizing recipes. In addition, heat-recovery and exhaust air purification systems help to save energy and comply with environmental regulations. A new feature here is a fully automatic cleaning system that significantly reduces maintenance and personnel costs. The cleaning programs are flexible and freely configurable, and production does not have to be interrupted for cleaning purposes.

Brückner relax dryer POWER-DRY PD-1

In principle, new Brückner systems can be equipped with various intelligent assistance systems on request, which help machine operators to quickly find the optimum machine settings for each process. The new ExperTex simulation tool uses artificial intelligence to simulate the desired drying or heat-setting production process on a computer. Various KPIs can then be compared with each other, e.g., throughput times, energy consumption, CO 2 footprint, and production costs. This innovative system allows for precise pre-calculation of orders, opens up productivity increases and/or energy savings, and enables “right-first-time production” by means of pre-optimized recipes. This tool and much more is available to customers in the new myBrückner customer portal. All important machine information, access to digital services, and a service system are bundled there and can be accessed at any time.

Another new product is the POWER-DRY PD-1, a completely newly developed relax and shrink dryer for finishing knitted fabrics. This dryer is suitable for both open and tubular fabrics and can be easily integrated into an existing line concept. Customers benefit from maximum evaporation capacity in the smallest possible length, optimum shrinkage values, excellent accessibility thanks to space-saving sliding doors, horizontal lint screens, low maintenance and cleaning times, and an energy-saving suction zone. The system can also be heated using a hybrid system or even CO 2-free using a high-temperature heat pump. The system has been specially designed for high-quality goods with a soft and voluminous hand, e.g., polo shirts, nightwear (interlock), single jersey T-shirts, or lining fabrics such as sweatshirts.

Customers can also look forward to a new unit in the coating sector: the OPTI-COAT 2in1 coating unit combines the advantages of floating knife and knife over cylinder, thus ensuring maximum flexibility. With a high-precision coating cylinder and a perfect ground coating knife, excellent results can be achieved for paste and foam coatings. In addition, the unit’s special design ensures optimum accessibility for cleaning and maintenance purposes.

If you would also like to benefit from these advantages or learn more about the optimization potential in your textile production, you are cordially invited to visit the Brückner team at ITMA ASIA 2025 in Singapore. In hall 7 at booth A-102, their experts will be happy to meet with you for a personal discussion and provide you with individual advice.

VDMA Companies Outline Major Benefits In Finishing – And Now Dyeing Too

2025-12-18T10:00:00+00:00

Michael Schuhmann, Global Marketing Finishing at Archroma Textile Effects, explained that typical key functions provided in textile finishing include sweat and odor control, water repellence and UV resistance. Softeners are primarily applied to make fabrics more comfortable while other finishes provide reduced crease formation for easy-care properties. The traditional padding or exhaust techniques for applying these finishes require huge volumes of water and energy intensive drying.

Spray application, by contrast, requires much less water due to drastically reduced ‘pick up’ – the amount of liquid that a fabric absorbs and retains, determining how much finishing agent remains in the fabric. This also enables significantly faster drying, making process speeds of up to 100 metres per minute possible, depending on the fabric.

“As the global fashion brands commit to reducing their emissions, the textile processing industry must respond by adopting safer chemistries with resource-saving processes such as spray application,” Schuhmann said.

Precision

Rick Stanford, Vice President Global Business Development for Textiles at BW Converting, explained that at the core of the Baldwin TexCoat G4 technology are precision valves that were originally developed for the offset printing industry and have been refined over the past 40 years through more than 40,000 installations globally.

“These enable extremely precise spray flows which are controlled by proprietary software algorithms,” he said.

Over 100 TexCoat G4 units have been installed worldwide and all three companies are enjoying notable success with bed sheeting manufacturers in Pakistan.

“Our first TexCoat G4 in Pakistan was installed in Spring of 2024 for a manufacturer using Archroma chemistry and a ten-chamber Monforts MONTEX stenter,” Stanford explained. “When using the padder at this mill, the pickup rate was 65% and with TexCoat G4 we were able to reduce that to 27%. As a result, the customer was able to increase the MONTEX speed from 60 metres a minute to 100 metres a minute, while also reducing the operating temperature in the stenter. We have subsequently sold 30 TexCoat G4 units in Pakistan, driven primarily by the system’s proven productivity and efficiency gains.”

Energy savings

“A BW Converting Baldwin TexCoat G4 unit is now installed at the Monforts Advanced Technology Center (ATC) for trials and fully complementing spray finishing operations are our multiple energy saving innovations,” added Saskia Kuhlen, Monforts Engineer for Textile Technologies. “MONTEX stenters are equipped with the TwinAir air volume regulation system as well as the TwinTherm system for temperature control and feature CADstreamE variable nozzles. These features enable full adjustment to a specific fabric width for either higher operational speeds or lower electrical energy. A further benefit is the150-mm wide advanced insulation system inside the stenter frame”.

Further Monforts modules for optimizing processes include the the coaTTex unit for the knife coating of paste and foam application and the EcoApplicator, a kiss-coating technology for the indirect application of finishes on one or both sides of a fabric, with a stenter production speed up to 100m/min. Both can be integrated into existing lines.

The Monforts Energy Tower and EcoBooster are meanwhile modules for air/air heat exchanging, for heat recovery from the exhaust flow of thermal systems. They can also be retrofitted to existing stenter frames, relaxation dryers, infrared pre-dryers and hotflues.

“We continue to explore the best heating options for every customer, with optimised combinations in order to make our lines as energy efficient as possible,” Kuhlen said. “We have also been deeply investigating the potential of green hydrogen as a further option for the future.”

BW Converting’s Baldwin TexChroma™

In response to a big market demand, the three technology partners are now turning their attention to the dyeing process.

At ITMA Asia + CITME in Singapore, from October 28-31, they will introduce the resource-saving combination of THERMEX continuous dyeing ranges with the new BW Converting Baldwin TexChroma™ spray dyeing system.

“We are excited to introduce the Baldwin TexChroma because spray dyeing is the future,” said Stanford. “We’ve been cautious about providing details on TexChroma too early, but now we’re ready and look forward to outlining its benefits in Singapore with interested customers. We will also be installing a TexChroma unit on a THERMEX line at the Monforts ATC in 2026.”

Monforts is at stand A301 in Hall 3 at ITMA Asia + CITME and BW Converting at stand B201 in Hall 8.

Swedish Innovation Behind New TexChroma™ Spray Dyeing

2025-12-18T10:00:00+00:00

The TexCoat® G4 Legacy

The introduction of TexChroma follows the runaway success of BW Converting’s Texcoat G4 finishing system in the past few years.

Rick Stanford, VP global business development at Baldwin

“TexCoat G4 spray technology was developed in Sweden from our off-set printing business, and we initially focused on installing units in Europe and the USA,” explains Vice President of Global Business Development for Textiles Rick Stanford.

“In the past two years, however, we have been very active in Asia, with 35 units sold — and many of these customers have been asking for a similar technology for the dyeing process.”

The first TexChroma will be installed at the plant of a very well-known Italy-based continuous dyer which is part of a larger textile manufacturing group, in order for it to be fully industrially tested before going into series production.

“Our first customer is close by our facility in Sweden, has the practical dyehouse skills we can learn from, and is a satisfied TexCoat G4 customer,” Stanford said. “We believe a major benefit of TexChroma will be in eliminating much rework which is common in dyehouses, but we’ve been very cautious about providing details on TexChroma too early. The dyeing process is unforgiving, and we must get it right the first time. The market has been ready for quite some time. And now, so are we.”

BW Converting is at stand B201 in Hall 8 at ITMA Asia + CITME 2025.

TMAS members in Singapore

Eltex (Hall 2, stand C203) has made an important breakthrough on its EyETM tension monitoring system for the heat setting, tufting, warping and winding sectors, with the addition of electromagnetic brakes in combination with the latest advanced sensors. These enable tension variation to not only be detected, but automatically adjusted in real time during operation, rather than manually changed as previously.

The company’s ACT-R unit can further significantly reduce the selvedge yarn waste from the weft insertion systems of rapier weaving machines, while at the same time maintaining equal and steady tension across all pre-winders.

Advanced weaving control is also the bedrock of business for Vandewiele Sweden AB (Hall 2, stand D301e), which supplies weft yarn feeding and tension control units for weaving looms to the majority of the leading weaving machine manufacturers, as well as for retrofitting in working mills around the world The company will present its latest X4 yarn feeders with integrated accessory displays and has recently further strengthened its product portfolio with IRO Gaugepart modules. These are applied to tufting looms to determine the appearance of a carpet in terms of feel and structure.

Finally, the colarette machines of Svegea (Hall 6, stand D109) set the standard throughout Asia for the high speed production of tubular apparel components such as cuffs, collars and neck tapes and in Singapore the company will demonstrate its EC 50 and EC 200 with E-Drive II models, in addition to linked cutting systems.

Monforts Reports Successful Installations

2025-12-18T10:00:00+00:00

Spain-based lining fabric producer Textil A. Ortiz recently commissioned a fourth Monforts Montex tenter from Germany-based A. Monforts Textilmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG. The nine-chamber Montex 8500-9F installation at Textil A. Ortiz’s Santa Perpètua de Mogoda facility features direct gas heating, a Hercules needle chain, Matex finishing padder and two heat exchangers. The equipment is used to finish fabrics with softeners, water repellents and flame retardants.

Altoteks, a specialist in dyeing and finishing fabrics for workwear and uniforms, has installed its third Monforts Thermex continuous dyeing range at its Çorlu, Turkey facility. The company already operates two Thermex units and a Montex finishing range as part of its annual 18-million-meter dyeing and printing operation. The new two-meter-wide line includes three linked Thermex units, gas-powered infrared predryers, and cold pad batch winding. It also features the Econtrol® process for reactive dyes, designed to support faster, simplified continuous dyeing.

2025 Quarterly Issue IV

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Jeanologia Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary Transforming How Jeans Are Produced Worldwide

2025-12-18T10:00:00+00:00

BW Converting To Promote Sustainable Finishing Solutions With A.T.E. At Techtextil India 2025

2025-12-18T10:00:00+00:00

“Technical textiles and home furnishings are growing segments in India, and mills are increasingly focused on operational efficiency and sustainability,” added Rick Stanford, Vice President of Global Business Development, Textiles, BW Converting. “Our precision spray technology delivers on both fronts, helping manufacturers optimize output, lower costs, and reduce their environmental impact.”

Building on the proven precision and uniformity of its TexCoat® technology, BW Converting recently introduced its new TexChroma digital spray dyeing system at ITMA Asia in Singapore, further expanding the company’s capabilities in sustainable textile processing. BW Converting’s local team and representatives from A.T.E. will be on hand throughout the Techtextil India show to discuss how TexCoat® G4 and other advanced finishing solutions can support the country’s expanding technical textile sector.

To learn more about BW Converting’s textile innovations, visit bwconverting.com.

BRÜCKNER: What Modern Textile Finishing Looks Like Today At ITMA ASIA

2025-12-18T10:00:00+00:00

This tool and much more is available to customers in the new myBrückner customer portal. All important machine information, access to digital services, and a service system are bundled there and can be accessed at any time.

Brückner relax dryer POWER-DRY PD-1

Another new product is the POWER-DRY PD-1, a completely newly developed relax and shrink dryer for finishing knitted fabrics. This dryer is suitable for both open and tubular fabrics and can be easily integrated into an existing line concept. Customers benefit from maximum evaporation capacity in the smallest possible length, optimum shrinkage values, excellent accessibility thanks to space-saving sliding doors, horizontal lint screens, low maintenance and cleaning times, and an energy-saving suction zone. The system can also be heated using a hybrid system or even CO2-free using a high-temperature heat pump. The system has been specially designed for high-quality goods with a soft and voluminous hand, e.g., polo shirts, nightwear (interlock), single jersey T-shirts, or lining fabrics such as sweatshirts.

Crystal & HKPC Innovate Graphene Thermal Clothing Tech

2025-09-04T10:00:00+00:00

Crystal International Group Limited (“Crystal International” or the “Group”) continues to lead innovation in textile technology. The Group has partnered with the Hong Kong Productivity Council (“HKPC”), a globally recognized research institute with nearly 20 years of expertise in nanomaterials and industrial applications, to advance thermal clothing using cutting-edge graphene electrothermal technology – specifically reduced graphene oxide (“r-GO”). Supported by funding from the Innovation and Technology Commission, the collaboration aims to enhance r-GO composite coating by optimizing electrical conductivity for maximum heat generation. Using a precision smart-screen-printing system, the additive is seamlessly integrated into garments, boosting electrothermal efficiency and reducing production costs. This pioneering solution creates a new generation of thermal clothing, improving productivity, lowering resource use, and enhancing Hong Kong’s global competitiveness. The project began in 2021 and has gone through two major phases. During Phase 1, Crystal International’s knits division participated as the Industry Co-Applicant, providing sponsorship and technical expertise to develop multifunctional fabrics with graphene coating for smart wearable applications, in partnership with HKPC and The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (“HKRITA”). Integrated with power devices and voltage supply, the r-GO material enables electrothermal performance in thermal clothing. With HKPC’s technology authorization, Crystal International secured a utility model patent in China upon completing the development stage. In Phase 2, launched in 2023 under the Public Sector Trial Scheme led by HKPC, the focus shifted to garment production and real-world trials. Prototypes and electrothermal clothing samples were fabricated and tested in elderly care homes, including Tung Wah Group of Hospitals’ Wong Cho Tong Day Care Centre for the Elderly. These wearer trials confirmed the practical application of electrothermal clothing for enhancing warmth and comfort. The garments successfully passed lab tests for durability, electrical safety, and skin compatibility. !assets/images/image012.jpg “image012”) Feedback from 100 elderly users revealed a high level of satisfaction, with garments achieving a rapid heating rate of 30°C in just two minutes. Users scored the clothing an average of 8.3 out of 9 for warmth, uniformity of heating, usability, and durability. Danny Cheng, General Manager – Technical Service and Support at Crystal International, said,

“We are thrilled to be at the forefront of this project that not only showcases our excellence to innovation but also addresses the needs of flexible electrothermal fabric in the industry. By leveraging advanced technology in textiles, we aim to improve the quality of life for the groups who are in need while promoting sustainable fashion practices.” The flexible r-GO composite fabric also has potential for broader applications, including heated shoe insoles and therapeutic heat bandages. Crystal International is actively exploring commercialization opportunities and remains committed to driving textile innovation alongside industry stakeholders.

Understanding and Mastering Odor Control in Textiles: A Scientific Approach

2025-08-29T10:00:00+00:00

Textile World
Dyeing Printing & Finishing
Understanding and Mastering Odor Control in Textiles: A Scientific Approach

Figure 1

An effective odor control solution for textile products needs to address the multifaceted sources of odor. By Ryan Scott Human body odor, while often invisible, poses a significant and persistent challenge in the world of textiles. It’s more than just an unpleasant smell; it represents a key consumer pain point that can dramatically impact brand perception and product longevity. As interest in performance textiles and sustainable practices grows, so does the demand for truly effective and lasting odor control. Yet, achieving this goal is far from simple. It requires a deep scientific understanding of human body odor as a multifaceted phenomenon, moving well beyond simplistic assumptions and single-solution approaches. As the textile industry continues to innovate, mastering odor control hinges on embracing the chemistry at play and adopting comprehensive, scientifically rigorous evaluation methods.

Contrary to common belief, human body odor cannot be attributed to a single source or compound. Instead, it is a complex and dynamic mixture of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This intricate chemical symphony is influenced by a confluence of factors, including an individual’s biology, their environment, the specific chemistry of the textile substrate and the activity of skin-resident microbes. The AATCC 2017 White Paper on Odor Evaluation Techniques for Textiles highlighted this complexity, presenting real-world case studies where detailed odor intensity and character profiling consistently revealed that garments carry a broad array of olfactory signatures. Trained sensory assessors in these studies identified a diverse range of descriptors, including animalic, earthy, floral and chemical notes, confirming that body odor originates from multiple families of odorants, not just a single compound.

Among the most common and impactful odorants found in textiles are distinct chemical entities, each presenting unique challenges for odor control technologies:

Isovaleric Acid (C5H10O2): This short-chain branched fatty acid is characterized by a pungent, cheesy odor. It is primarily produced through the microbial metabolism of amino acids, such as leucine. Being moderately hydrophobic, isovaleric acid tends to bind readily to synthetic fibers, making its removal a persistent challenge.
Acetic Acid (CH3COOH): A small, polar carboxylic acid, acetic acid is often a byproduct of sweat fermentation. Its sharp, vinegar-like smell is distinct from isovaleric acid. Due to its higher solubility in water and volatility, it behaves differently in textile substrates, requiring different neutralization strategies.
Ammonia (NH3): This basic, highly volatile gas is formed through the degradation of urea, a component of sweat. Known for its sharp, irritating smell, ammonia can rapidly escape fabrics. However, its alkaline nature presents a different set of challenges for odor neutralization technologies compared to acidic compounds.
Nonenal (C9H16O): An unsaturated aldehyde, nonenal is frequently associated with the “cardboard” or “greasy” odor often linked to aging body odor. This molecule is highly lipophilic, meaning it strongly binds to fibers, particularly polyester, and is notoriously difficult to remove, demanding specific and robust strategies for effective neutralization. The critical takeaway here is that each of these molecules represents a distinct chemical class — acid, base, aldehyde — and interacts uniquely within textile matrices. An odor control solution designed to capture or neutralize an acid may not effectively interact with a base like ammonia or a nonpolar aldehyde such as nonenal. Therefore, a truly effective solution must possess a multifaceted mechanism capable of addressing this broad chemical diversity.

Figure 2

Despite the inherent chemical diversity of human body odor, a prevailing practice in the textile industry has been to validate many odor control technologies using only a single odorant, most commonly isovaleric acid. While isovaleric acid serves as a useful benchmark for certain aspects of foot and sweat odor, relying solely on it for performance validation is fundamentally insufficient to represent the full complexity of body malodor. This narrow testing can lead to misleading claims, as products appearing effective against isovaleric acid may utterly fail to address other critical odorants like nonenal or ammonia, which significantly impact perceived freshness, particularly in active wear or among aging populations. Furthermore, the choice of fabric composition plays a critical, yet often underestimated, role in odor performance and can exacerbate the limitations of single-odorant testing. Spandex, or elastane, is a prevalent fiber used in performance apparel due to its stretch and recovery properties. However, its inclusion significantly alters odor behavior. Spandex is known to have a greater affinity for isovaleric acid, nonenal, and acetic acid than common synthetics like polyester or nylon. This affinity allows spandex to delay the release of odorants, which can inadvertently inflate odor reduction results in controlled laboratory settings. Crucially, this retention does not equate to true odor elimination; in real-life wear, trapped odors in spandex may be rereleased over time, especially when exposed to body heat and motion. Consequently, testing with spandex-containing fabrics, particularly when combined with isovaleric acid-only evaluation, risks overstating a product’s true performance and masking the technology’s limitations in broader, real-world scenarios. To genuinely understand and enhance textile odor control, the industry must evolve beyond these simplistic test models. A multi-odorant, chemically diverse evaluation approach is imperative to reflect the true nature of human malodor.

Recognizing the limitations of single-odorant testing and the complex nature of body odor, the global textile industry has increasingly turned to the ISO 17299 standard as the benchmark for assessing deodorant properties in textiles. This international standard is specifically designed for comprehensive, multi-odorant and chemically diverse evaluation, ensuring a more accurate representation of real-world performance. The ISO 17299 standard is com-posed of several parts, each addressing specific aspects of odor assessment:

ISO 17299-1: General Principle — This foundational part outlines the overarching methodology and principles for evaluating deodorant properties, emphasizing a holistic approach to address diverse odorants.
ISO 17299-2: Detector Tube Method — This section details the procedure for evaluating deodorant performance using detector tubes, primarily for assessing gaseous odorants such as ammonia and acetic acid.
ISO 17299-3: Gas Chromatography Method — This part specifies the use of gas chromatography for the precise quantification of odor reduction for more complex VOCs like isovaleric acid and nonenal. This instrumental analysis provides objective and repeatable data on a technology’s efficacy against these key odorants. To achieve ISO 17299 certification, textile products must meet minimum reduction rates for each of the four identified key odorants — isovaleric acid, nonenal, acetic acid, and ammonia (See Figure 3). These thresholds were rigorously established based on extensive sensory testing and validated through the instrumental analysis methods outlined in the standard, ensuring that the defined reduction levels correspond to a noticeable and effective improvement in perceived freshness.

This rigorous, multi-faceted standard serves as the critical baseline for any credible odor control claim, pushing the industry towards more robust and reliable solutions that truly address the spectrum of human body odor.

The growing understanding of odor complexity, coupled with the rising consumer demand for high-performing and sustainable textiles, has spurred innovation in odor control technologies. Many traditional solutions, particularly those relying on metal-based chemistries or biocides, or those with limited wash durability, have proven inadequate in meeting these evolving demands, especially after repeated home laundering. This landscape has driven the development of advanced solutions that are designed to effectively man-age the full spectrum of malodors while aligning with modern safety and environmental standards. A compelling example of this next-generation approach is Freshology™, developed by Microban International Ltd., Huntersville, N.C. This technology represents a nature-inspired, heavy-metal-free and non-biocidal solution specifically engineered to neutralize the broad spectrum of impactful body malodors, including isovaleric acid, acetic acid, ammonia and nonenal.

The science behind Freshology centers on its unique mechanism of action, which involves a proprietary blend of polymers and natural components (See Figure 4). This blend is designed to capture and neutralize VOCs through a combination of physical and chemical interactions. The captured odorants are then later released and effectively washed away during laundering. This cyclical mechanism is key to the technology’s ability to maintain lasting freshness across repeated uses and launderings, making it a robust option for performance textiles.

Figure 4

In terms of application, technologies like Freshology are often designed for seamless integration into existing textile production lines. For instance, it can be applied through standard pad finishing processes without requiring additional steps, and it typically demonstrates compatibility with common fiber types such as polyester, nylon, and various blends, as well as a flexible pH range and curing temperatures. In practice, a technology built on these principles has undergone rigorous testing against all four primary odorants identified in the ISO 17299 standard. Such technologies are observed to consistently meet or exceed the standard’s reduction thresholds across a wide range of fabric types, including synthetics that typically present a challenge for odor management. Furthermore, their performance is designed to exhibit observed durability and retain effectiveness even after numerous home launderings, indicating their potential for providing long-term odor control in demanding textile applications. Beyond performance, sustainability and safety are increasingly vital considerations. Advanced odor control technologies often feature environmental profiles that are heavy metal-free and non-biocidal, aligning with evolving regulatory landscapes and consumer preferences. Such innovations may also pursue relevant textile certifications like Oeko-Tex® Eco Passport and Bluesign® Approval, signaling adherence to high standards for environmental health and safety. The development and patenting of unique odor capture systems under-scores the commitment to scientific advancement within this field.
Elevating Textile Freshness With Scientific Rigor The complexities of human body odor demand a sophisticated, multi-odorant approach to effective odor control in textiles. Single-odorant testing methods are insufficient to capture the full picture, potentially leading to products that underperform in real-world conditions. The ISO 17299 standard serves as a critical global benchmark, offering a comprehensive and scientifically rigorous framework for evaluating a technology’s ability to neutralize the diverse chemical spectrum of body malodor. Innovative, science-backed solutions, such as Freshology, are crucial for brands aiming to deliver on the promise of long-lasting freshness and superior performance. By embracing a deep scientific under-standing of odor chemistry and adopting thorough testing methodologies, the textile industry can advance beyond mere masking agents to create textiles that truly neutralize odors across the full spectrum, ensuring they remain fresher longer and meet the increasingly high expectations of today’s discerning consumers.

Editor’s Note: Ryan Scott is a senior product development chemist at Microban International Ltd., Huntersville, N.C.

2025 Quarterly Issue III

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2025Vol3