HeiQ, a Swiss IP innovator and established global brand in materials and textile innovation and Patagonia, a Certified Benefit Corporation, have taken their long-standing research collaboration to the next level and announced the launch of a jointly developed odour control technology for textiles, HeiQ Fresh MNT. It is a renewably sourced mint oil-derived textile technology to control malodour development on textiles.

The similar environmental and social philosophy shared between Patagonia and HeiQ was the backbone for the two brands to embark on an intense research partnership since 2015. Patagonia gives the ideas and sets the principles, HeiQ uses its expertise in specialty chemical formulation and application to textiles to create finishings that outperform the market in terms of sustainability and functionality, the two companies said in a media release.

HeiQ, a Swiss IP innovator and established global brand in materials and textile innovation and Patagonia, a Certified Benefit Corporation, have taken their long-standing research collaboration to the next level and announced the launch of a jointly developed odour control technology for textiles, HeiQ Fresh MNT, a mint oil-derived textile technology.

HeiQ Fresh MNT is the latest addition to the HeiQ Fresh family of sustainable odour management technologies, complementing the company’s mineral-based HeiQ Fresh HAX and the bio-based HeiQ Fresh FFL. HeiQ Fresh MNT uses a renewable and responsibly sourced mint oil-derived textile technology to control malodour development on textiles, providing fabrics with a long-lasting odour control capability that keeps garments smelling fresh and wearers feeling clean and comfortable all day long. Based on test method ISO17299-3A using isovaleric acid, treated synthetic fibres more than double the odour control efficiency versus current industry standards.

HeiQ co-founder and CEO, Carlo Centonze, said: “Our partnership with Patagonia has always been productive as they constantly stretch our innovative capabilities. It therefore comes as no surprise that we were able to discover the powerful properties of mint as an active ingredient for our next generation odour control technology. HeiQ Fresh MNT is further confirmation of our dedication to enhance people’s lives with sustainable innovation. With odour control you need to wash less, saving water, detergent, energy, microfibre and prolong the life of garments. We can all now look forward to a fresher smelling society with natural, reliable and durable odour control.”

Patagonia, as the development partner, is the first to commit to the technology and will start to upgrade its products in the near future.

Laura Hoch, material innovation engineer from Patagonia, said: “HeiQ is a valuable innovation partner and we’re really excited about this technology. Not only does HeiQ Fresh MNT keep garments fresh in a sustainable way, it performs even better than what we currently use. We have been relentlessly testing this technology and lining up the supply chain to bring products enhanced with HeiQ Fresh MNT to the market as quickly as possible.”

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)