Diversified global manufacturer Milliken & Company has announced DeltaMax Performance Modifiers and Polartec Power Air fabric each won an R&D 100 award and D2 Convertible Flooring was selected as a finalist. All three innovations were recognized at the awards ceremony held on 6 December, alongside other meaningful product offerings. Now in its 56th year, R&D 100 Awards honour 100 new and remarkable innovations that disrupt industries and create positive change across six categories.

“We are honoured to accept this recognition of our materials science expertise,” said Halsey M. Cook, president and CEO, Milliken & Company. “Together, our associates work to conceptualize, develop, manufacture and distribute solutions that positively impact our world, now and for generations to come.”

Milliken’s vast portfolio of products represents a deep-rooted commitment to innovative research and development. Since acquiring its first patent in 1927, Milliken’s research and development team, known as the Community of Innovators, drives the company to find solutions to some of the world’s most complex challenges. It comprises cross-functional associates, ranging from advanced-degree scientists to field experts, and fuels one of the larger U.S. patent collections held by a private company.

This year, Milliken’s R&D 100 honourees help address issues like plastics circularity, fleece textiles’ environmental impact and built-environment safety with forward-leading insight.

DeltaMax Performance Modifiers

An R&D 100 Award winner, DeltaMax Performance Modifiers are an all-in-one masterbatch solution to improve the flowability of polypropylene in manufacturing while maintaining or increasing the impact performance and stiffness of the finished product. The result allows significant energy savings in injection moulding production and allows new products to contain up to 100% recycled content, helping to reduce environmental waste and promoting a circular economy.

Polartec Power Air

Polartec Power Air is an innovative new platform offering advanced thermal efficiency by encapsulating lofted fibres within a multilayer, continuous yarn fabric construction. Insulation that effectively regulates core body temperature has traditionally been achieved via lofted or high pile knit structures that hold warm air. Although Polartec is a leader in making resilient materials, it has recognized that any exposed fibre is susceptible to shedding as a function of normal wear.

As the first fabric construction to encase air with a continuous yarn, initial versions of Polartec Power Air are proven to shed at least five times less than other premium ‘mid-layer’ weight fabrics. The foundational technology platform will eventually provide shedding reduction to all existing apparel categories (including insulation, lightweight next to skin, and extreme weather protection). Polartec was acquired by Milliken & Company in June 2019.

D2 Convertible Flooring

An R&D 100 Award finalist, D2 (Dynamic Design) is a two-part system that utilizes Adaptex Active Surface Technology to lock a textile Top and adhesive magnetic Base together, providing a lightweight, flat, easy-to-clean, anchored, and modular flooring solution for entrance and transition areas. The first of its kind to maximize both stability and design, D2 is a functional floor covering that captures dirt and moisture from foot traffic in areas where extra floor protection may be required. The two-part design delivers the flexibility of conventional floor mats with the stability of installed flooring, which simultaneously prevents slips, trips and falls, and enhances the space’s aesthetic.

www.milliken.com