Amicor fibres with anti-allergy & anti-microbial properties

01 Dec '08

4 min read

The Amicor fibre technology, patented by Thai Acrylic Fibre Co., a unit of Aditya Birla Group is a leading Acrylic Fibre manufacture having its manufacturing plant in Thailand with a capacity of 100.000 Mt/year is very special for a number of reasons.

This fibre is manufactured using a low temperature water based solvent. This means that it is possible to incorporate organic pharmaceutical additives into the fibre structure. Very few fibre manufacturing processes are able to achieve this.

In the case of Amicor, two organic pharmaceutical additives are used, one has very specific antifungal properties and the other one has broad spectrum antibacterial properties. The antifungal fibre is patented, these patents now being owned by Thai Acrylic fibre.

The Amicor fibres do therefore contain within their structure these antimicrobial additives which are not water soluble. This combination is very important, because it allows the Amicor to be functional at quite low blend proportions in commercial yarn and fabrics, through dyeing and finishing and repeated laundering.

For example, it is possible to make dyed and finished products which are protected from the development of bacteria and fungi with only 20% Amicor within the fabric. These products can be laundered up to 200 times at high temperatures (100 deg c) and still be effectively having good antibacterial and anti fungal activity.

The Amicor fibre is available in tow and staple form in a wide range of deniers (1 dtex through to 17 dtex) and can be blended with any other fibre to make a very large range of functional blend yarns.

As a result of the inherent antimicrobial properties of Amicor, particularly the antifungal properties, Amicor has found wide use in home textiles; where it delivers considerable benefits to people who suffer from allergies to indoor allergens.

Within home textiles (bedding, carpets and upholstery) it is acknowledged that problems associated with dust mites live within all of these articles. The dust mites live on the skin cells and moisture that we provide within the home environment, but the presence of particular fungi within home textiles is also very important in the food chain for the dust mites.

Amicor is able to break this food chain by removing the presence of fungi from within the article. This particular product claim is substantiated by significant clinical studies carried out over more than 6 years. Due to the versatility of the Amicor fibres, it is possible to consider using this technology in many different end uses.

AKM - Amicor has established itself in two particular end uses at the moment but it has significant benefits in two other end uses as well. It is well established in top end brand socks/hosiery/shoe linings where it has proven benefits in odour reduction.

However, the main commercial use for Amicor has been in home textiles, specifically, beds and bedding. Amicor is found in a number of leading brands of bedding where it is used in the mattress ticking and in the non-woven fillings as well.

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