NanoHorizons Inc., a leader in the creation of nanoscale performance additives for textile, health care, and industrial applications, has appointed Toshinobu Hirohata as an authorized sales and technical support agent for the company’s antimicrobial nanosilver additives, marketed globally under the SmartSilver performance brand. Mr. Hirohata is based in Japan. A graduate of Osaka University of Foreign Studies (currently Osaka University), Mr. Hirohata has over 30 years of experience in the textile business with a special expertise in testing performance additives and integrating them into the fabric production process.

SmartSilver’s innovative antimicrobial additives are uniquely engineered to integrate silver nanoparticles into fibers at the molecular level, providing anti-bacterial, anti-odor protection that never wears off or washes out, lasting the life of the fabric. The nanoscale size also permits SmartSilver to work invisibly without compromising other performance attributes of the fabric. SmartSilver additives can be added at any stage of textile processing and can be applied effectively to both natural and synthetic fibers and fabrics. SmartSilver’s additives were recently approved by the International Oeko-Tex Association as having been extensively tested and determined not to be harmful to human health. SmartSilver additives are also EPA-registered for use in fibers, coatings, and polymers and have been endorsed by Australian Wool Innovation.

“SmartSilver has been proven effective, durable, and safe, and is cost effectively integrated into the manufacturing process,” says Toshinobu Hirohata. “For these reasons, there is a growing interest and demand in the Asian market to use SmartSilver for a variety of applications, including hosiery, functional garments, sports apparel, and medical textiles. I look forward to providing customers with the unique performance features of SmartSilver.”

“We are excited about our growing presence in the Asian marketplace,” states Timothy Skedzuhn, Vice President, Textile Business Unit, NanoHorizons. “We have an antimicrobial product with unmatched capabilities that is now supported by an experienced and knowledgeable representative in Toshinobu Hirohata. We believe this is a strong combination for success.”

About NanoHorizons Inc.

NanoHorizons Inc. (www.nanohorizons.com) is a leader in the emerging, cutting-edge field of practical nanotechnology for a broad range of consumer, commercial, and industrial applications. The company’s nanoscale silver antimicrobial additives are marketed globally to customers in the apparel, health care, and coatings and plastics industries under the SmartSilver brand (www.smartsilver.com). SmartSilver additives uniquely offer permanent, safe and cost-effective bacterial control in a variety of products, including natural and synthetic fibres and fabrics as well as coating, foam and polymer applications, and are EPA registered and Oeko-Tex approved. NanoHorizons’ experienced team of scientists, engineers, and operational managers provide product research, design, development, and laboratory testing, manufacture, and customer technical and sales support. The company is privately held and headquartered in Penn State University’s Innovation Park in State College, Pennsylvania.