Pertex acknowledges that the use of PFC-based water repellent finishes has a negative environmental impact and as such, it is said to have completely eliminated long-chain (C8) PFC chemistry from its products, moving to a less harmful short-chain (C6) alternative.

“For over five years, we have been supplying fabrics with non-PFC DWR to select brand partners and with that expertise and experience, we are confident that we can achieve performance at a similar level to conventional DWR,” said Steve Laycock, Pertex Brand Director.

Dirt and stain repellency

According to Laycock, it is clear that there are barriers to overcome in order to make a complete move-away from PFC-based DWR. A key issue still to resolve is that dirt and stain repellency of non-PFC DWR finishes remains less effective than that of a conventional PFC based DWR – possibly affecting the garment lifespan.

“We are committed to further expanding our range of non-PFC products through the continued development of new and existing non-PFC DWR technologies, with the ultimate goal of delivering fabrics with long-lasting performance with minimal impact upon the environment,” said Laycock.

Pertex

Through 35 years of commitment to innovation and performance, the Pertex brand has established itself as the leader in lightweight technical fabrics and is today partnered with some of the most prestigious brands in the outdoor industry.

www.pertex.com