Materials Science Company Dow has announced a new generation of fluorocarbon-free water repellent finishes for fabrics based on silicone chemistry. Dowsil IE-8749 Emulsion does not contain fluorocarbons or fluoroalkyls and, unlike many conventional finishes, does not need to be regularly heat treated to restore its water repellency performance.
Dow says studies conducted on a variety of textile substrates demonstrate improved fabric retention compared to standard silicone finishes – providing continued water repellency after multiple washes.
“As the global textile industry quickly adopts new production practices and materials with reduced environmental impacts, it’s important to examine the water repellent treatments being used as many conventional options come with a number of disadvantages,” said Shawn Mealey, technical service and development scientist at Dow.
“At the same time, fashion designers are being tasked with finding fabric solutions that meet consumer and societal expectations for style, ease of care and durability.
“With Dowsil IE-8749 Emulsion, we can help meet those needs and provide designers with a water repellent treatment that aligns with the industry’s overall push for greater sustainability.”
Dow claims that the new treatment gives textile finishers greater control over the hand feel of the fabric – which can range from a very soft feel characteristic of silicone used alone, to a firmer feel with the addition of crosslinkers.
The technology behind Dowsil IE-8749 Emulsion was developed through collaboration between Dow and Nicca Chemical and was recently recognised by a 2020 R&D 100 Award. Dow will stage a webinar on the new treatment at 8am (EST) on Tuesday 2nd March. Register online here.
