#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.

Speed and connectivity: Techtextil and Texprocess provided market-ready solutions for industries under pressure

With more than 36,000 visitors and 1,700 exhibitors from a total of 112 countries, Techtextil and Texprocess 2026 demonstrated how innovation comes into industrial use. The convergence of research, industry and application proved to be a breeding ground for new material solutions, manufacturing and processing technologies. Natural fibres, performance apparel, connected systems and AI-driven processing technologies emerged as key growth and future markets.

RUDOLF is pioneering the future of technical textiles by developing innovative, functional solutions

At Techtextil 2026, RUDOLF presents its latest innovations for textile auxiliaries, textile care and construction chemicals. Based in Geretsried, Bavaria, the company draws on more than 100 years of experience and continues to position itself as a global technology partner focused on quality, innovation and sustainability.

BTMA backs global growth while investing in future UK leaders

As one of a number of new initiatives launched this year, the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) is launching the UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition. The UK-India Free Trade Agreement, signed in July 2025, has implications that extend across sourcing, competitiveness and long-term trade dynamics, believes BTMA CEO Jason Kent.

China projected to increase cotton production, yields, and imports in 2026/27

World cotton production in the 2026/27 season is projected at 25.9 million tonnes, exceeding global consumption of 25.2 million tonnes, according to the May 2026 issue of Cotton This Month. That means both production and consumption are expected to remain close to current season levels, while global cotton trade is projected to decline by 2.7% to approximately 9.6-9.7 million tonnes.