Conventional odour control technologies mainly eliminate unpleasant body odour resulting from bacterial sweat metabolites. The newest product of the HeiQ Fresh Tech range, HeiQ Fresh NKU is said to sequester volatile malodours like the “plastic” smell of polyester or body hormones.

Silver based technologies

HeiQ originally developed silver based technologies to prevent the odour generation on textiles by eliminating the source of malodours – hungry bacteria colonizing the fresh textile. For almost ten years, HeiQ’s first product has been tested and used by over 50 major brand players of the active wear, outdoor clothing and underwear market – like Odlo, Mammut and New Balance.

Over the years, HeiQ has added five further silver and non-silver based antimicrobial products to the versatile HeiQ Fresh Tech family, aiming to provide a solution for bacteria derived bad odour on textiles. Now, the HeiQ Fresh Tech family has been expanded by the innovative volatile odour source sequestering product HeiQ Fresh NKU.

HeiQ Fresh NKU

The working principle of HeiQ Fresh NKU odour control technology is designed to enable the elimination of manifold annoying volatile malodours on textiles, beyond body odour deriving from bacterial sweat metabolites: “plastic” smell of polyester generated by its monomeric components, or synthetic smell odours in new cars or exuded hormonal odour smell, the company reports.

“HeiQ Fresh NKU rapidly sequesters these volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to its surface functionalised sorbent particles, more precisely engineered alumina-silica microparticles,” the manufacturer explains. “Unpleasant volatile odour compounds are immobilised on the large surface of the particles in the textile and turned into non-volatile and therefore non-perceivable odour compounds. This unique new odour sequestering technology is particularly suitable for polyester fabrics, though generally applicable to all fibre substrates.”

Testing

In tests HeiQ Fresh NKU has reportedly shown a strong performance and regenerated its effectiveness and sequestering potential even after repeated home laundry washings. Fabrics treated with HeiQ’s new odour sequestering technology are tested according to the internationally utilised deodorant efficacy test, the company explains.

With the help of a gas detector tube the reduction rate of VOC’s, like e.g. ammonia or acetic acid gas, is measured, indicating the sequestration potential of malodours by functionalised textiles.

Next month, HeiQ’s Textile Market Knowledge Centre will release the findings of its latest consumer listening exercise to its premium brand partners, sharing consumer insights specifically on the topic of textile odour control.

www.heiq.com