Microban International is welcoming the recently approved AATCC test method – TM211-2021 – that has been developed to support the textiles industry.

The strategically important, standardised Drager method measures the reduction of odour on materials treated with antimicrobial technologies, and partners well with existing textile test methods such as the AATCC TM100, to show the correlation between bacterial reduction and odour control.

Microban was one of the early adopters of this method that can for the first time provide a truly quantitative evaluation of the valuable, real-world and functional benefits of antimicrobial chemistries by quantifying odour reduction.

Antimicrobial technologies in textiles provide a proactive solution for preventing ‘permastink’ – the enduring odours created by the metabolism of sweat by skin flora that often persist on clothes after cleaning. These odour control formulations work on the understanding that reducing the growth of microbial populations on textiles will subsequently reduce odors generated from bacterial activity.

The AATCC TM 211-2021 test method is an objective method that can articulate the efficacy of odour control technologies and provide definitive scientific evidence for these claims. Additionally, this highly sensitive test gives real-time and visual depictions of ammonia levels – created by bacterial metabolic pathways – on a colorimetric scale, in under 48 hours. The biological system can be used across the textile industry for assessing the odour capture propensity of both antimicrobial-based technologies, and other odour-reducing techniques.

“This method offers a much-needed standard for addressing odour as a factor in antibacterial finish performance,” said Erika Simmons, technical director at the AATCC. “It opens doors to innovation down the road.”

“This is a hugely important and necessary scientific advancement, not only for our company but for the entire textiles industry,” added Ivan Ong, vice president of research and development at Microban International. “Being able to quantify odour control technology quickly and accurately can help to communicate these benefits to the end user, as well as expand our understanding of the mechanisms used to inhibit bacterial metabolism. This is all part of our ongoing commitment to developing scientifically-backed technologies for products that are cleaner, fresher and more valuable to the customer.”

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