#Textile chemistry

2022-11-24

HeiQ launches HeiQ Mint for botanical odor control

Textile innovation leader, HeiQ takes advantage of its presence at ISPO Munich 2022, 28th-30th of November, to launch HeiQ Mint, the new proprietary odor control technology based on a blend of essential mint oils. The plant-based technology is designed to make textiles smell fresh even after repeated usage, avoiding the need for frequent washes, thus enabling consumers to save water and energy.

HeiQ announces the launch of HeiQ Mint, a brand for biobased odor control textile technology that provides effective and lasting freshness for clothing and home textiles. The new technology is jointly developed with Patagonia to keep textiles fresh for longer and reduce the need for washing.

HeiQ Fresh MNT-01, under the HeiQ Mint product family, was jointly developed with Patagonia. The technology was developed and refined since more than a year ago. It has been tested in laboratory and validated by wearer trials. HeiQ Mint addresses body odors on textiles and this function regenerates at every wash, with superior efficiency and durability that meets most end-use performance requirements. All other fabric properties such as breathability, hand feel, and wicking will remain unchanged. This textile technology is OEKO-TEX® suited, bluesign approved, and ZDHC compliant, with a USDA bio-preferred certification in progress.

The wearer trial during product development was highly demanding, with HeiQ Mint standing out in comparison to the other two tested solutions. According to Laura Hoch, Patagonia’s Materials Innovation Engineer, “out of all the anti-odor technologies we tested, HeiQ Mint provided the highest odor control performance, with the added benefit of being plant-based. This innovation enables Patagonia to deliver our customers high-performing products made with the best available chemistry.”

Another advantage of HeiQ Mint is the possibility for the chemistry and treated articles to be marketed worldwide, without the need for biocidal declaration on product labels, since it is based on a blend of essential mint oils and naturally derived deodorizing ingredients.

HeiQ Mint is ideal not only for next-to-skin products such as sports apparel, underwear, linings, and casual and business wear but also for home textiles such as bed linen, pillow fabrics, and mattress textiles, both on cellulosic and synthetic fibers.

No more smelly socks or shirts

Human sweat is inherently natural to all of us and odorless, but the volatile organic compounds (smelly molecules) resulting from sweat and other components on the textiles charge a heavy toll on our noses. Sometimes a shirt or a pair of socks is tossed into the washing machine after just one use because they are too smelly to be used again.

Consumers increasingly demand for products made of natural ingredients, and better use of finite and expensive resources such as water and energy. HeiQ Mint is the latest sustainable technology that enables everyone in the value chain to be in tune with such a welcome trend. Fewer washes also mean more durable textile products and fewer laundry products and fibers discharged into the environment.

This textile innovation will be displayed by HeiQ at Hall C2 – Booth 502, at ISPO Munich 2022, in Germany, from 28th to the 30th of November.

HEIQ expands in ASIA with BIG SUNSHINE as key partner

HeiQ, a global leader in materials and textile innovation, is strengthening its presence in Asia by onboarding BIG SUNSHINE CO., LTD. as a key full-service partner in the region. This collaboration aims to further improve HeiQ’s overall service capabilities in Taiwan and across the wider Asian region, furthering its vision of global expansion and footprint in Asia.

HeiQ announces return to private company structure

HeiQ, a leading innovator in materials technology, announced its decision to return to private company structure from the London Stock Exchange as part of a strategic move to focus resources, streamline operations, and accelerate growth, effective November 19, 2024 (LSE:HEIQ). HeiQ shares will continue trading on the JP Jenkins securities or a similar matching platform from November 20, 2024.

HeiQ and GQ Apparel bring biobased cooling to denim in Thailand

HeiQ, a global leader in textile and materials innovation, proudly announces a strategic cooperation with GQ Apparel, a premier Thailand-based tech apparel brand. GQ Apparel enhances it denim offering with HeiQ’s advanced cooling solution, marking a significant milestone in the Southeast Asian market.

HeiQ expands application of HeiQ Allergen tech to upholstery fabric through collaboration with CULP

HeiQ partners with Culp to apply HeiQ Allergen Tech, a 100% biobased* solution that reduces allergens on textiles, onto interior upholstery fabric. HeiQ announces the extended application of HeiQ Allergen Tech to bring the benefits of this biobased textile technology to the interior upholstered furniture market, marking a unique launch into this segment.

Indovinya advances sustainable solutions with agreement for the supply of renewable Oxygen from Air Liquide

Indovinya, the specialty chemicals and surfactants division of Indorama Ventures, has entered into an agreement with Air Liquide — a world leader in gases, technologies, and services for industry and healthcare — for the supply of renewable oxygen. The agreement represents a strategic advancement in Indovinya’s commitment to sustainability, as it increases the share of renewable raw materials in the production of ethylene oxide, one of its key products.

DyStar releases FY2025 sustainability report, marking a new milestone towards its 2030 targets

DyStar, a leading specialty chemicals company with more than a century of expertise in product development and innovation, today announced the release of its FY2025 Sustainability Report, marking a significant milestone in its sustainability journey and reinforcing its commitment to long-term value creation.

Rieter sees Barmag integration on track as orders and sales rise

The first half of 2026 was shaped by the successful completion of the largest acquisition in Rieter’s history. The Man-Made Fiber Division enables entry into the growth segment of man-made fibers and sustainably strengthens Rieter’s market position in the Asia region. The expanded Group is now the world’s leading system supplier for the processing of natural and man-made fibers. In the first half of the year, initial cost savings in material costs and operating expenses have already been realized. The targeted synergies are expected to amount to at least CHF 20 million by the end of the 2028 financial year. Due to the completion of the acquisition on February 2, 2026, the first half of the year for the Man-Made Fiber Division only amounts to five months.