Storm Cotton technology is a water-repellent fi­nish for cotton that offers protection from rain and snow. © Cotton, Incorporated

After extensive testing, OmniBloq, Bolger & O’Hearn’s high powered, Stormproof/Breathable durable water repellent (DWR), has satisfied all requirements to be used as a DWR technology by Cotton, Incorporated for its Storm Cotton  and Storm Denim finishes.

Storm Cotton and Storm Denim are designed to combine the natural comfort of cotton with high performance characteristics normally found in synthetic materials.

Recent tests of OmniBloq conducted by Cotton, Inc. at its labs demonstrated that OmniBloq meets the stringent repellence, breathability and durability requirements necessary to be an approved chemistry for apparel carrying the Storm Cotton and/or Storm Denim technologies.

New DWR treatments

Highly durable, Storm Cotton technology is designed to provide a durable, water repellent benefit to cotton and cotton-rich apparel without compromising the breathability for which that fabric is known.

According to materials supplied by Cotton Incorporated, many water-repellent treatments can inhibit a fabric’s ability to breathe and transfer moisture vapor. Storm Cotton technology, which can be created using products such as OmniBloq, repel liquid but do not impact or impede the natural ability of cotton to breathe. Instead, Storm Cotton technology allows moisture vapor to escape and evaporate.

The Cotton Incorporated Storm Denim technology provides the same benefits, specifically to denim.  Applied in garment form, the finish is said to allow flexibility for additional garment finishing techniques.

Stormproof and breathable

OmniBloq is a powerful new Durable Water Repellent developed by Bolger and O’Hearn that is designed to be both stormproof and breathable. Unlike most DWR’s on the market, OmniBloq has been engineered to keep working even in heavy snow or pounding rain. Most DWR’s quickly lose power in those conditions, while OmniBloq maintains performance. In a class by itself, OmniBloq adds lightweight, breathable repellence against the elements without bulky membranes. OmniBloq also holds onto its power through multiple washings.

“We are very proud that OmniBloq has been acknowledged by Cotton Incorporated as a DWR chemistry for Storm Cotton and Storm Denim technologies apparel,” said Shaun O’Hearn, President of Bolger & O’Hearn. “When we began working with Cotton Inc. on this project, we had no doubt OmniBloq would not only meet but surpass their criteria. The test results from Cotton Inc., which is one of the most respected institutions in the global textiles industry, underscore what we have known all along about this unique chemistry.”

“We’re excited about the outstanding results and believe this points to the immense value OmniBloq is bringing to the global textiles industry and Bolger & O’Hearn’s role as a trusted developer of next-generation chemistries.”

Committed to sustainability

Bolger & O’Hearn frequently develops new products for industry partners, which include several major brands. A bluesign system partner since 2014, B&O is also actively committed to sustainability in both its manufacturing processes and the chemistries the company develops, manufactures and sells. For example, B&O is a leader in the development of fluorine-free water repellents and continually strives to improve the health, safety and environmental profiles of all of its products.

Many are water-based and/or on the prestigious ZDHC list of environmentally-approved chemistries. B&O also generates half the energy it needs to run the company’s US manufacturing operations from an on-site solar field, reducing their annual carbon emissions by 125,000 pounds, or the equivalent of 14,065,489 gallons of gasoline.

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