Rudolf & HeiQ partner on DWR technologies for outdoor wear

One of the key factors driving change: two of the leading innovators in the industry have joined forces. Germany’s Rudolf Group and HeiQ of Switzerland can now offer outdoor brands an unparalleled range of DWR technologies.

The cooperation between the Rudolf Group and HeiQ pools expertise in fluorine-free and fluorine-based repellence solutions and offers added value through innovative products, specialised global support, consumer-focused compliance and marketing support. As a result, brands can ensure the transparency and safety of their textile products and value chain. The partnership has created a comprehensive portfolio that boasts a sustainable and durable DWR function for every type of fabric. That’s good news for outdoor enthusiasts worldwide, who can look forward to staying dry no matter how wet and wild the weather.

This outstanding new joint technology portfolio will be marketed under the common ingredient brand BARRIER. It comprises environmentally-friendly fluorine-free dendrimer and 3D hyperbranched coral-like polymer technologies and clean C6 and C8 based fluorines, and is likely to include more coating innovations in future. In other words, it contains the best available technologies to fulfil each and every customer’s specific fabric, performance and sustainability requirements.

BARRIER is a consumer-focused ingredient brand offering reliable water, oil and stain repellence for outdoor wear, thanks to its 3D polymer structure. BARRIER connotes top quality – instantly giving consumers a clear, meaningful assurance of excellent product safety, transparency and efficacy. The name guarantees top performance, identifying fabrics that are repellent yet breathable. As a result, BARRIER gives you a key benefit at the point of sale: It provides consumers with a specific and emotionally compelling argument to purchase your products.

Crucially, BARRIER represents safe and environmentally sustainable technologies – proactively addressing brands’ reputational risk. For example, it complies with bluesign, one of the world’s most rigorous textile production standard. This sought-after certification guarantees that textile products are subject to stringent scrutiny and produced with maximum resource efficiency.

What’s more, BARRIER also offers value for money. In recent years, there has been a dramatic improvement in the price/performance ratio of fluorine-free and fluorine-based technologies. This offers yet another incentive for savvy consumers.

Thanks to its technological and sustainability benefits, BARRIER is being rapidly adopted by the manufacturing outdoor and textile industries. Today, a large number of partner mills around the world produce high-quality textiles featuring BARRIER technologies.

HeiQ