#Textile chemistry

2020-09-03

HUNTSMAN Textile Effects introduces high iq® lasting black eco program

Huntsman Textile Effects has extended its industry-leading HIGH IQ® brand-assurance program with the launch of HIGH IQ® Lasting Black eco. Based on Huntsman’s award-winning AVITERA® SE Black reactive dye, the new color-retention program will help mills, brands and retailers meet global demand for eco-friendly black shades that retain their intense color even after repeated washing.

Innovative brand assurance program meets eco-friendly dyeing solution for sustainable black shades that retain their intense color for the lifetime of the garment

Black shades are an ever-popular choice among designers and consumers, offering visual appeal and timeless style. Leading brands today need to not only deliver intense black shades that won’t fade but must also show that they are sustainable and good for the environment.

HIGH IQ® Lasting Black eco is a unique combination of the world’s leading color-retention program with Huntsman’s revolutionary AVITERA® Black SE reactive dye.

AVITERA® Black SE dye promotes economic and environmental sustainability by reducing water and energy consumption by up to 50%. Furthermore, the excellent washing-off performance of AVITERA® SE Black dye shortens processing time and increases productivity.

Garments produced under the HIGH IQ® Lasting Black eco program are suitable for home laundering using EU and US domestic washing machines and carry a reduced risk of color staining other garments during washing.

Key benefits of HIGH IQ® Lasting Black eco include:

Reduced environmental footprint, using 50% less water and energy in processing
Deep black shades retain their intensity throughout the lifetime of the garment
Longer-lasting performance, wash after wash, so garments look newer for longer
Allows mills to produce fabrics and garments free* from p-chloroaniline (PCA)
Current detection limit 5 ppm

“With HIGH IQ® Lasting Black eco, Huntsman Textile Effects continues to lead the industry in providing sustainable dyeing solutions for eco-friendly black shades that deliver excellent value through color performance,” said Jay Naidu, Vice President Strategic Marketing and Planning, Huntsman Textile Effects.

All products in the HIGH IQ® quality assurance program are bluesign® approved and suitable for STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® certified textile products(1), meeting the requirements of the world’s most exacting global brands.

For more information about the HIGH IQ® program, visit

www.high-IQ.com

Huntsman and Steitz Secura deliver breakthrough in sustainable safety footwear

Huntsman, in collaboration with Steitz Secura, has developed a breakthrough polyurethane (PU) solution that can help improve the circularity of safety footwear. Together, the two companies have created a DALTOPED® polyurethane midsole system that can incorporate recycled content without compromising performance – setting a new benchmark in protective footwear production.

Huntsman secures bluesign® APPROVED status for IROGRAN® TPU products

Global chemical company Huntsman has secured bluesign® approval for ten of its IROGRAN® thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) products, which are used extensively across the textile and apparel industry. The materials in question are part of Huntsman’s IROGRAN® film and sheet portfolio, and can be used to enhance the production, performance, and comfort of stitchless, seamless garments including underwear, sportswear, and outdoor and waterproof clothing.

TEXTILCOLOR AG launches strategic collaboration with Alpex, Majocchi, and Trans-Textil in the field of Pyroshell™ flame protection

TEXTILCOLOR AG, a leading provider of innovative solutions in textile chemistry, today announces the start of a strategic collaboration with Alpex Protection, Majocchi, and Trans-Textil. Starting November 1, 2025, the partners will jointly advance the flame-retardant finishing of textiles using the patented Pyroshell™ technology at production sites in Germany, France, and Italy.

Zschimmer & Schwarz at ITMA Asia in Singapore

At ITMA Asia in October 2025, Zschimmer & Schwarz will present 100 % bio-based spin finishes from the LERTISAN range designed for hygiene nonwovens, and HYDROSET ECO-DRY, a bio-based wicking agent that delivers excellent moisture management for synthetic fabrics. For dye fixation on polyamide, the company has developed a sustainable, plant-based product completely free from phenol, bisphenol, and formaldehyde. The patented aftertreatment agent ZETESAL ECO-FIX PA ensures durable and reliable fixation, particularly on dark shades.

Covestro and Heraeus Precious Metals collaborate to enable safer, more sustainable antimicrobial textile coatings

Laboratory tests reveal that AGXX antimicrobial surface technology from Heraeus Precious Metals is fully compatible with Impranil® PU dispersions which are part of the waterborne INSQIN® textile coating technology from Covestro, paving the way for more sustainable antimicrobial textile coatings. This discovery comes at a key moment for the textile coatings industry. As the sharing economy continues to grow, more people are coming into regular contact with high-use surfaces, creating ideal conditions for bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms to thrive.

Toray develops recycling technology that retains carbon fiber strength and surface quality

Toray Industries, Inc., announced today that it has developed a recycling technology that can decompose diverse carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) made from thermosetting resins while retaining the strength and surface quality of those fibers. The company drew on this technology to create a nonwoven fabric employing recycled carbon fibers.

Panty liners prevent bacterial vaginosis

Worldwide, almost one third of women of childbearing age suffer from bacterial vaginosis. This is when the sensitive microbiome of the vagina becomes unbalanced. Such a disorder of the vaginal flora can cause urogenital infections, abscesses on the ovaries or fallopian tubes or premature births. This significantly increases the risk of infertility in women and of contracting a sexually transmitted disease or HIV.

PERFORMANCE DAYS sets benchmarks with record attendance & strong industry presence

With around 4,500 professional visitors and 515 exhibitors, PERFORMANCE DAYS closed its doors on October 30, 2025, after two highly successful days in Munich. Expanded show areas, an international audience, a top-class Expert Talks program, and an inspiring DAY 0 Conference with an innovative concept underlined one thing clearly: PERFORMANCE DAYS has become the leading business platform for the functional textile industry.