#Textile chemistry

2025-10-01

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.

Armrest covered with antimicrobial PU coating based on INSQIN® and AGXX technology © Covestro

Applications range from office furniture used in shared offices to car interiors, which are frequently used in car sharing, to public transport.

At the same time, according to the review process of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), conventional antimicrobial silver technologies face the challenge of meeting the requirements of the BPR due to concerns over potential harm to human, animal, and ecological health. Many are now set to be phased out in the years ahead.

To address the demand for more sustainable antimicrobial surface coatings, Heraeus Precious Metals created AGXX: a system that eliminates a wide range of bacteria, fungi, and viruses without releasing harmful silver-ion components. AGXX works due to a catalytic reaction of two precious metals that converts oxygen into reactive oxygen species (ROS) using moisture derived from air humidity. These ROS eliminate microbes by disrupting their outer cell membranes, organelles, and DNA.

Martin Danz, Global Head of Antimicrobial Technologies at Heraeus Precious Metals said: “AGXX is skin-friendly,* BPR-compliant, and suitable for a wide range of applications. Results from our joint tests with Covestro now show that AGXX can be combined with Impranil® PU dispersions to add long-lasting antimicrobial properties to textile coatings for synthetic materials.”

Antimicrobial PU textile coating based on INSQIN® and AGXX technology © Covestro

Tests also revealed that incorporating AGXX with INSQIN® textile coatings technology from Covestro does not impact manufacturing processes. “We found that AGXX could be mixed with our Impranil® products without dulling the performance or properties of either solution or requiring any changes to manufacturing processes for coated textiles,” said Dr. Torsten Pohl, Global Head of Textile Coatings at Covestro. “When combined with AGXX, our INSQIN® technology maintains its cleanability, flexibility, and ability to withstand usage over long periods. For textile coating manufacturers, this tried-and-tested guide formulation offers a fast and effective way to infuse their coatings with safer and more sustainable antimicrobial properties and still gain the sustainability improvements of our low-VOC waterborne PU dispersions.”

With demand for hygienic, reliable, BPR-regulation-compliant, and safer textile coatings expected to increase, the combination of AGXX and INSQIN® technology will enable textile manufacturers to quickly adapt to the rapidly evolving needs of the sharing economy.

To see how the combined guide formulation works in real-world applications, visit Techtextil 2026 in Frankfurt from April 21 to 24, 2026. Items coated with AGXX and Impranil® will be on display at the Covestro booth.

*Tested by bio compatibility test according to ISO 10993-5

Covestro, FILK Freiberg, and OUT e.V. develop flexible, conductive polymer smart textile system

As the smart textiles market continues to grow across healthcare, personal protection, sportswear, and automotive applications, developers are seeking new ways to integrate electronic functionality directly into textiles, without the rigidity and complexity of conventional wiring. To address this challenge, FILK Freiberg Institute, an independent research institution with expertise in polymer coatings for textile applications, collaborated with Optotransmitter-Umweltschutz-Technologie (OUT) e.V. The joint project, funded under the German Industrielle Gemeinschaftsforschung (IGF) program of the Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (BMWE), focused on developing flexible, conductive polymer surfaces for next-generation smart textiles.

Covestro to exhibit solutions for a more sustainable and productive textile industry at Techtextil 2026

Covestro will present a broad portfolio of material innovations for textile coatings, adhesive films and thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) at Techtextil 2026 (Hall 11.0, Booth C79). The exhibits will demonstrate how advanced solutions can enhance durability, recyclability and manufacturing efficiency across applications such as automotive, infrastructure, protective apparel and sportswear. A particular focus will be on more sustainable coating technologies, including antimicrobial systems based on INSQIN® in combination with AGXX from Heraeus Precious Metals, as well as the integration of Pontacol® thermoplastic adhesive films into Covestro’s offering.

Covestro showcases monomaterial concept in autonomous SUE People Mover

UE | STUDIOS has unveiled the fully autonomous electric minibus “Self-driving Urban E-Shuttle” (SUE), placing strong emphasis on sustainable material design. Developed within a project funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) and the European Union, the vehicle will begin public road testing this year. At the core of the concept is the consistent use of recyclable monomaterials to improve circularity at end of life.

Covestro celebrates decade of innovation and sustainable growth

Covestro celebrates its 10-year anniversary today. Since its carve-out from Bayer in 2015, the company has developed into a global leader in high-performance polymer materials and a pioneer in circular economy solutions. With a strong focus on innovation and sustainability, Covestro’s materials are now embedded in countless applications worldwide – from mobility and construction to electronics, healthcare, and consumer goods.

SOKO presents low-impact denim finishing innovations at Denim PV Milan

SOKO will present a range of sustainable denim finishing technologies and collaborative projects at the upcoming Denim Première Vision Milan on 20–21 May in Milan. At booth G27 in Superstudio Più, the company will showcase new chemical solutions designed to combine fashionable denim effects with reduced environmental impact.

SHIMA SEIKI to show complete knitting and cutting workflow at ITM 2026

Leading computerized flat knitting technology provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Turkish representative TETAS IC VE DIS TICARET A.S., will participate in the ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition in Istanbul, Türkiye this month with a full product lineup. In addition to flat knitting machines and design software, visitors will also have the opportunity to experience the full range of SHIMA SEIKI textile machinery with its automatic cutting machine exhibit, all geared toward the fashion apparel market as well as non-apparel related businesses.

European Flax-Linen & Hemp step into advanced manufacturing: Enabling filament winding, 3D printing and high-performance composite processes

The Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp announces a new wave of technological advancements demonstrating how flax-linen and hemp fibres are now being successfully integrated into advanced composite manufacturing processes. These developments mark a transition beyond traditional hand lay-up techniques, positioning natural fibres as credible, scalable solutions for high-performance industrial applications.

SETEX turns dyeing and finishing data into daily production control

At ITM 2026, SETEX will show how textile mills can use machine, recipe, quality and energy data for more reliable daily production decisions — not as another reporting layer, but as part of the running dyeing and finishing process. With OrgaTEX X3 MES, E390x/C390x controllers, CamCOUNT and FabricInspector Portable, SETEX connects planning, machine execution and fabric-related quality insight within existing mill structures.