Microban International Launches H₂O Shield, A Portfolio Of Water-Resistant, PFAS-Free Textile Technologies

Customized solutions provide excellent water repellency while addressing key issues such as fabric chalking defects and seam slippage.

Huntersville, NC /PRNewswire/ - Microban International, a leader in product protection solutions, announced the launch of H₂O Shield, a range of water-resistant finishes for textiles that are free of PFAS and PFOS. This technology represents Microban's first expansion beyond its traditional antimicrobial and odor control offerings, significantly growing its capabilities.

H₂O Shield is designed to meet the growing demand for sustainable, high-performance textile finishes and offers a cost-effective alternative for brands phasing out harmful chemicals known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyls (PFAS). This includes the PFOS group of chemicals, known for their widespread use, environmental persistence, and potential health risks.

The technology is customizable and offers four distinct repellent options designed to meet the specific aesthetic and performance needs of manufacturers and brands:

1. WR1000: Ideal for water repellency in low-touch applications such as shower curtains, awnings, and tents.
2. WR1001: Optimized for high moisture absorption in sports and sweat-resistant garments, such as high-performance jackets, ski jackets, and running fabrics.
3. WR1002: Formulated to correct chalking defects and color change problems on dark, scratch-prone fabrics such as hiking gear and gloves.
4. WR1003: Helps prevent tearing and is ideal for applications where seam slippage is a problem, such as backpacks and tents.

For traditionally hard-to-treat fabrics, Microban offers an optional pretreatment, WR-P . This pretreatment expands fabric compatibility by reducing the water repellent dosage by 15% to 20% and increasing the treatment's wash life.

This technology provides excellent water resistance for textiles, achieving results of 80 or higher in the AATCC TM22 splash repellency test. Furthermore, the finish has been proven to maintain its effectiveness even after more than 20 home washes.

Beyond water resistance, H₂O Shield is designed to integrate seamlessly with other Microban technologies, including antimicrobial and odor control solutions.

"Microban offers a unique end-to-end support structure that helps our partners combine finishing technologies while ensuring regulatory compliance and compatibility. Our partners can also benefit from our technical and testing support, as well as our trusted brands," said Michael Ruby , general manager of Microban International. "This synergy enables brands to deliver multifunctional performance with tailored solutions, protecting and extending the life of textile products and meeting consumer needs."

H₂O Shield technologies are applied using standard wet chemistry processes common in textile manufacturing, such as pad baths. WR-P is applied as the final step during an exhaustion process (after a dyeing cycle).

For additional information on H₂O Shield, visit https://www.microban.com/coatings/technologies/h2o-shield.

About Microban International
Part of Barr Brands International, Microban International is home to the most trusted and recognized global brands in the antimicrobial, odor control, and sanitizing/disinfection markets: Microban^® and Ultra-Fresh^®. Our organization has over 100 years of collaborative growth and has revolutionized the industry. As the global leader, our proactive systems keep products cleaner and better control odors, preventing problems before they arise. Microban International drives innovation by combining science and creative solutions that improve the quality of consumer, textile, industrial, and medical products worldwide. Today, the Microban and Ultra-Fresh brands and our technologies are included in thousands of products worldwide. The company is headquartered in North Carolina and has operations in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. For more information, please visit www.microban.com.