Fluorocarbon-free hydrophobization of polyamid

Important results from the project

The aim of the project was to further develop OrganoClick AB´s eco-friendly technology for making cellulose-based materials water repellent, to also work on material containing polyamide fibers. An example of such a material is nylon fabrics that the clothing brands Klättermusen are using in its sports and outdoor garments. The goal to confer good water repellent properties to polyamide fabrics without having to use chemicals with a bad environmental and/or safety profile was achieved by optimizing OrganoClick´s technology according to the requirements of the polyamide fiber.

Expected long term effects

The result of the project is a treatment process and a chemical product that have been optimized to confer polyamide fabrics with water repellent without needing to use hazardous chemicals. A patent has been applied for the new chemical product during the project and the product is now being evaluated by industrial polyamide manufacturers in Asia. Thus, the short term expected effects of the project have been fulfilled.

Approach and implementation

The project was initiated by Klättermusen making sure that untreated polyamide fabric was obtained including the list of requirements. Simultaneously, OrganoClick´s chemists initiated the work of optimizing the chemical product according to the requirements of the polyamide fiber. In parallel, the treatment process was optimized according to Klättermusens polyamide fabric on lab scale. Subsequent to this, the chemical product was tested on pilot scale at Smart Textiles in Borås, with subsequent evaluation of the treated fabrics by OrganoClick.