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| Sun protection you can wear | | July 30, 2008 (Switzerland) |  |
 All outdoor sports activities are so much more fun in good weather. Unfortunately, too much sun can lead to a reduction in wellbeing, performance and even physical health; which is why Schoeller Technologies AG and Clariant International Ltd. introduced the new coldblack finishing technology at OutDoor in Friedrichshafen.
Coldblack provides reliable protection from damaging UV radiation and reduces the absorption of heat from sunlight. Development partner Mammut has shown first outdoor products with the new technology (collection Spring/Summer 2009). Tatonka has started test for tents.
Noticeably cooler with coldblack heat management
Light-colored fabrics reflect both visible and invisible rays of sunlight. This means that both light and heat are radiated back. In contrast, dark fabrics absorb both types of radiation and therefore absorb heat. This is where the first protective effect of coldblack technology comes into play: textiles finished with coldblack absorb less heat, which means that dark colors heat up less.
The second coldblack effect is a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) of a minimum of 30. “People in direct sunlight are exposed to both heat and the ultraviolet rays.
According to the color and the fabric, one or other of these two factors will have a greater impact on the skin protection or wearer comfort”, says Hans U. Kohn, COO of
Schoeller Technologies AG, describing the reasoning behind the coldblack finish.
“We wanted to create a sun protection technology that would reduce the negative elements of the sun regardless of color or fabric”. That is why the coldblack finish launched by Schoeller Textil AG one year ago (and winner of the Outdoor Silver Awards 2007) has been revised, improved and applied to all types of fibers.
The coldblack finishing process does not alter the feel or look of the base material and is permanent. The double sun protection will prove to be of benefit in other markets; such as tennis, golf, motorcycling or fashion and business wear. The coldblack technology will therefore now be available under license for a broad range of applications. | | | | Clariant International Ltd |  |
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