Cognis and Pulcra Chemicals Exhibit Active Cooling, Freshness, and Protective Textile Technologies at OR
People who lead an active life, play a lot of sport, have an exciting job, or who just enjoy being outside on summer days, will inevitably get hot and sweaty and be bitten by mosquitoes from time to time. At this year's Outdoor Retailer in Salt Lake City, Utah, Cognis' Care Chemicals business unit Skintex and Pulcra Chemicals exhibited a range of innovative textile technologies, designed to keep active people cool, fresh, and well protected. These finishes enable textile brands to serve the increasing global demand for innovative and perceivable effects in functional clothing.
Cognis Care Chemicals used the show to present new Skintex Supercool, a technology for treating fabrics with high-tech microcapsules that provide a cooling sensation. These contain natural source ingredients like menthol and myritol, emollients and synthetic coolants. The capsules slowly release their contents to the skin due to the action of friction and body heat generated between the fabric and the skin. The efficacy and high tolerability of Skintex Supercool have been proved in performance tests by independent research institutions; participants in the test evaluated the perception, cooling effect, and fragrance of the T-shirt very positive and also agreed that it enhanced their overall sense of well-being.
As soon as temperatures start to rise, so do the number of mosquitoes and midges. Skintex Mosquito Protection (marketed in the USA as Mosquito Repellent) offers a highly effective protection against insect bites. In 2006, the product has been approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Garments treated with Skintex microcapsules containing Mosquito Protection make sure that all areas of the body covered by the fabric are well protected. Unlike creams, consumers do not have to worry about the effect wearing off during the day. The repellence remains effective for 25 washes.
With Cyclofresh Plus, Pulcra Chemicals allows textile brands to treat textiles with long-lasting protection from unpleasant body odor and release of fragrances by a dual mechanism of two natural based ingredients -- cyclodextrins (a ring of sugar molecules) and silver ions. Cyclodextrins can absorb so-called "guest molecules", whether these be organic sweat molecules that cause unpleasant smells or fragrances to be released. The mechanism is triggered by the moisture that develops when the wearer sweats. The silver ions further enhance the product's effectiveness, as silver is one of the safest and most thoroughly proven ways of reducing bacterial and fungal growth, providing excellent odor control with unlimited capacity. While the sweat particles are washed out during laundering, the Cyclofresh Plus deposits stay intact for up to 50 wash cycles.
Cosmetics expertise meets textile technology
Since July 1, 2007, former Cognis' Process Chemicals strategic business unit has been trading as a separate company under the name of Pulcra Chemicals, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cognis. Pulcra develops and markets specific finishing treatments for functional textiles, including Cyclofresh, Securlana, Repellan, and Belfasun. With its Skintex business unit, Cognis Care Chemicals offers a micro-encapsulation technology that allows textiles to be treated with mostly natural source ingredients, providing cosmetic performance with proven effects.
Oliver-Daniel Bogatu, Director Business Development & Global Marketing Skintex: "To support global textile brands meeting consumer demands, Cognis and Pulcra Chemicals have combined their textile technology expertise with decades of experience in the cosmetics sector. Our products are sophisticated functional textile solutions that deliver proven and noticeable effects. We develop technologies and marketing concepts for global textile brands, who want to increase their share of future high-growth markets."
About Cognis
Cognis is a worldwide supplier of innovative specialty chemicals and nutritional ingredients, with a particular focus on the areas of wellness and sustainability. The company employs about 8,000 people, and it operates production sites and service centers in 30 countries. Cognis has dedicated its activities to a high level of sustainability and delivers natural source raw materials and ingredients for food, nutrition and healthcare markets, and the cosmetics, detergents and cleaners industries. Another main focus is on products for a number of other industries, such as coatings and inks, lubricants, textiles, as well as agriculture and mining. The subsidiary Pulcra Chemicals offers specialized chemical products and process expertise to customers in the fiber, textile, and leather industries. Cognis also holds a 50-percent stake in the joint venture Cognis Oleochemicals, one of the world's leading manufacturers of oleochemicals.
Cognis is owned by private equity funds advised by Permira, GS Capital Partners, and SV Life Sciences. In 2006, Cognis recorded sales of 3.37 billion euros and an Adjusted EBITDA (operating result) of 394 million euros.
Contact
Viola Stahl, Communications Manager
Cognis GmbH
Phone: +49-2173-4995-221
Email: [email protected]
Internet: www.cognis.com
Andrea Schamp, Marketing Manager Skintex
Cognis GmbH
Phone: +49-2173-4995-486
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.cognis.com