A manufacturing enterprise integrating garment production and foreign trade export.
Blog
NEWS
15
2023
-
09
Sustainable water-repellent solutions boost the development of China's textile industry.
Author:
Lee Howarth, Global Market Manager for Textile Dyes and Finishes at Huntsman, stated: “The global shift toward non-fluorinated alternatives presents challenges for China’s textile industry. However, viable alternatives are already available on the market, and even more products are currently under development.”
Lee Howarth, Global Market Manager for Textile Dyes and Finishes at Huntsman, stated: “The global shift toward non-fluorinated alternatives presents challenges for China’s textile industry. However, viable alternatives are already available on the market, and even more products are currently under development.”
As regulatory bodies in North America, the European Union, and other regions tighten their controls on the industrial use of fluorinated products, Chinese textile manufacturers are increasingly recognizing the market demand for non-fluorinated alternative chemicals. Moreover, many of the world’s leading outdoor apparel brands are also eager to incorporate more sustainable products into their textiles, which in turn is encouraging chemical suppliers to develop non-fluorinated alternatives.
For a long time, fluorinated formulations have been widely used in outdoor apparel, umbrellas, tents, luggage, and other accessories to provide water- and oil-repellent properties. However, over the past decade, the market has shown increasing interest in sustainable chemical products—particularly those that can replace long-chain fluorinated compounds. As a result, chemical companies have been actively developing alternative chemicals designed for use in clothing and textiles, offering superior performance in terms of water resistance and stain repellency.
As early as 2015, Huntsman Textile Effects and Chemours jointly launched Teflon EcoElite, a fluorine-free, durable water-repellent treatment that incorporates Zelan R3 technology. This is the industry’s first durable water-repellent treatment developed using renewable resources, containing 60% plant-based ingredients and meeting all key industry standards. It delivers outstanding water resistance and durability for wool, cotton, and blended fabrics while maintaining fabric breathability—achieving or even surpassing the performance levels attainable with fluorinated technologies.
Recently, Huntsman Textile Effects and Chemours have achieved another breakthrough—introducing Teflon™ Eco Dry. Teflon™ Eco Dry leverages Zelan R2 Plus technology and contains 38% renewable plant-based ingredients, offering high-level, durable water resistance for all substrate materials.
Another groundbreaking product that’s transforming the market is PHOBOTEX RSY, a fluorine-free, durable water-repellent treatment launched by Huntsman Textile Effects in 2017. It was specifically developed to meet the demands of synthetic and cellulosic fiber fabrics for enhanced protection, comfort, and durability. PHOBOTEX RSY delivers high-performance protection under extreme weather conditions—such as rain, sleet, and snow—making it an ideal choice for producing high-performance outerwear fabrics.
These technologies not only offer superior sustainability but also, in many cases, deliver better performance than fluorination technologies. Nevertheless, chemical companies still have much work to do—ever-changing end-customer demands, increasingly stringent regulatory requirements, the need to enhance operational efficiency, and an increasingly competitive market environment—all of which will continue to drive companies to innovate relentlessly.
Earlier this year, Huntsman and Chemours announced that they will further deepen their historic alliance, expanding its scope beyond just durable water-repellent solutions—including both fluorinated and non-fluorinated alternatives—to fully leverage each company’s strengths in product innovation, technical support, marketing, and manufacturing.
As leaders in the field of water-repellency technology, Huntsman and Chemours have been collaborating since the early 1990s, a partnership that has now spanned nearly 30 years. Through this expanded collaboration, we aim to accelerate the textile industry’s transition toward greater sustainability by promoting the development and application of alternative, long-lasting water-repellent chemicals that combine both sustainability and superior performance.
A manufacturing enterprise integrating garment production and foreign trade export.
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