Waterproofing
and the environment
The chemicals used in DWR-waterproofing ensure that the clothing treated with it is simultaneously waterproof on the outside and breathable on the inside. Manufacturers use different substances for this purpose. Fluorocarbons, which include both perfluorinated and polyfluorinated chemicals, or PFCs, are a group that now includes more than 8,000 different substances. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are just two of the best known. They are produced artificially. Because they tend to remain persistent and are not easily degraded over time, they are now found in all regions of the world. While some fluorocarbons are classified as completely harmless, others are considered rather problematic. Yet it is precisely the waterproofingen made by fluorocarbons that are reliable and durable. They allow rain and moisture to bead up on the outside and even keep greasy dirt out. In the case of waterproofingen without fluorocarbons, the waterproofingen are made of silicones or other polymers. Unfortunately, these don’t provide as excellent protection against greasy and oily spills. To fill this gap in the market, we have developed PFC-free products based on hyperbranched polymers: Nanoflex L-Care, Nanoflex Wash-On C0 and Nanoflex DWR CO-ECO. Do you fancy the future of waterproofing?
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