Designtex adds NanoSphere finish to its hospitality textiles

28 Apr '11

3 min read

An extreme performance and environmentally friendly textiles are highly important to Designtex – a Steelcase company with 110 global locations. As the first company in the U.S. contract market Designtex adds Schoeller Technology's NanoSphere to its repertoire of textile finishes. Designtex products will featured during Techtextil 2011, May 24 to 26 at Messe Frankfurt/Main, Germany, the Schoeller booth.

The nanotechnology–based textile impregnation features a high level of water and stain resistance, a natural self-cleaning effect leading to easier care and maintenance, and outstanding abrasion resistance. The bluesign-certification of NanoSphere is also confirming that the highest human and environmental health criteria are met.

New market for NanoSphere
A unique second-generation nanotechnology-based textile finish, NanoSphere combines innovative C6 chemistry with significant environmental advantages, yet maintains extremely effective stain resistance and easy care and cleaning. Most importantly, NanoSphere offers durability against the effects of water and solvent cleaning agents and a wide range of essential disinfectants that are critical for public areas such as stadiums, hotel lobbies or hospital rooms, which are put under a variety of specific environmental stresses.

Designtex Director of Engineering Marty Gurian, shares, “Following four years of development, I am thrilled that Designtex is first to launch NanoSphere in this market. I am very confident about what it can do and the strategic soundness for Designtex to use this advanced finish, based on our Extreme Performance, sustainable and innovative legacy and mission.”

In addition to its outstanding abrasion resistance, the special finishing formula for NanoSphere features a natural self-cleaning benefit that means easier maintenance and cleaning.

C6 and high performance are evident

NanoSphere utilizes the latest C6 fluorocarbon technology. C6 chemistry avoids the formation of any C8 breakdown products such as PFOA (perfluoroctanoic acid), a carbon chain solvent commonly used in non-stick finishes for cookware, without sacrificing high-performing stain resistance. Many conventional stain repellent finishes utilizing C8 chemistry have detectable quantities of PFOA.

PFOAs are a regulatory priority for scientists and officials at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) because they persist in the environment and are bio-available, meaning they can enter the food chain.

Smaller carbon chain lengths below C6 have not proven to have the same performance properties as NanoSphere. These innovative changes result in a finish with undetectable PFOA and superior stain resistance.

Designtex is a design and product development firm that celebrates inquiry and collaboration. A Steelcase company, the Designtex family of products includes: Designtex (textiles, walls, panel fabrics, drapery, cubicles and digital printed surface imaging), Fusion (architectural panels), and loophouse (custom hand-made rugs). Designtex maintains showrooms, offices and sales locations in 110 global locations.

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