Textile limits body odours

24 July 2000 00:00  [Source: ICB]

Rhodia has launched what it describes as 'a major textile innovation, with the first polyamide 6.6 bacteriostatic textile yarn'.

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This new textile limits the development of unpleasant body odours by inhibiting bacterial growth. This is achieved through introduction of an additive into the mass of the yarn. The effect can withstand any amount of washes while preserving the flora living on the surface of the skin.

Following tests in independent laboratories, the yarn is claimed to meet all European regulations governing health and environmental protection.

This 'intelligent fibre' is well suited to sports clothes, underwear, socks, stockings and tights. The innovation, said Rhodia, also opens the way to multifunctional polyamide yarns as the introduction of other additives - such as anti-UV agents, mosquito repellents, moisturisers or perfumes, etc - could give new properties to the textiles and be introduced into carpets or textiles for medical use.

Presented in Brazil in February under the brand name Amni Biotech, the new yarn will be launched worldwide over the year.

Rhodia deputy general manager, Gilles Auffret, believes the potential textile market for this type of product at around E320m (300m), but he believes the sales expected will depend on the strategy of large clothing brands. The cost should be 20% higher than for a traditional textile and must be accepted by the consumer.

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