Americhem\'s Unique Dispersion Technology Fuels Cocona\'s New \'Smart ...

Tag : Pigment Fabric
Americhem's Unique Dispersion Technology Fuels Cocona's New 'SmartFabric'

CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio, July 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Americhem Inc., aglobal supplier of custom color and additive solutions forsynthetic fibers and polymer products, has partnered with Cocona,Inc. to create a unique masterbatch of activated carbon. Fabricsmade with nylon and polyester fibers containing this additive offerexcellent moisture management and are cool and comfortable forathletes and active professionals.
By using an innovative and proprietary dispersion and formulationprocedure, Americhem was able to develop a masterbatch suitable forfine denier spinning. All this was accomplished without affectingthe properties of the activated carbon, despite encapsulation inthe host polymer, explains Dr. Vaman Kulkarni, Technical MarketingDirector for Americhem.
"No other company was able to create a dispersion that would workin this particular application," says Jonathan Erb, Chief MarketingOfficer for Cocona, Inc. "This natural technology(TM) is unique toCocona(R) fabrics and provides an exceptional competitive advantageto our brand partners in their product categories."
Cocona, Inc. specifies the material, which is a by-product ofrecycled coconut shells from food industry waste. Americhem usesits decades of fibers pigment dispersion expertise to create adispersion based on the coconut shells, which might otherwise gointo a landfill. Encapsulated into a masterbatch, the productdisperses evenly throughout the thin polyester fibers as they arespun, ensuring an even distribution throughout the knitted fabric.
Apparel made from the fiber helps spread and evaporate surfacemoisture rapidly, making it perfect for sportswear, undergarments,golf apparel and other active applications. Over 50 brands areutilizing Cocona(R) fibers in sports and activewear including EddieBauer, Cutter & Buck, Izod, New Balance, Marmot, GoLite,Oakley, Patagonia and Cannondale.
Cocona fibers are used in garments ranging from shirts, pants,shorts, outerwear, underwear, footwear, travel wear and tank tops.Cocona recently began featuring full-page advertisements in SportsIllustrated and Golf magazines, highlighting the brands thatutilize its technology for golf apparel. Additional ads supportingCocona brand partners are being run in Men's Health, Backpacker andOutside magazines.
"Essentially, what we are doing is applying principles learned fromour nano-technology research. In order to have the activated carbonpresent in a fine enough form, we use a multiple-step process toreduce the size of the carbon particles. We then encapsulate theparticles in a carrier resin that will promote dispersion into thevery fine denier filaments used in high-performance apparel. It wasnot an easy result to achieve," says Roger Threadgill, Americhem'sTechnology Manager for its Fibers and Engineering Resins divisions.
Another unique feature is the fact that smart fiber "recharges"itself after a washing and drying cycle. This enables the fabricand its unique properties to never wear out and never wash away. Infact, the performance of the fabric could even improve over time,according to Dr. Greg Haggquist, the inventor of Cocona(R)technology.
About Americhem
Americhem is a global organization that delivers custom color andadditive solutions for clients seeking superior performance andbatch-to-batch consistency for their polymer and synthetic fibersproducts. The company specializes in color and additivemasterbatches all backed by complete technical support that ensuresquality, reliability and value. Americhem operates sevenmanufacturing plants and also maintains representative salesoffices in Shanghai, Mexico City and Luxembourg. Corporate research& development facilities and headquarters are located inCuyahoga Falls, Ohio. For more information visit Americhem.com orcall 800.228.3476.
About Cocona, Inc.
Cocona, Inc. is a privately held Colorado company focused ondeveloping and marketing innovative technologies from naturalsources. Cocona(R) fabrics and yarns use natural technology(TM)that is contained inside the yarn. Made from the activated carbonof recycled coconut shells, Cocona(R) natural technology(TM) willnot wash off or wear out, and it isn't harmful to your body or theenvironment. Cocona(R) fabrics are certified to dry faster andprovide more UV protection and odor management than any one brandof performance fabric. For information, visit Coconafabrics.com. Americhem Inc.
CONTACT: Scott Blanchard, Senior Marketing Specialist, Americhem,

+1-330-929-4213 x1363, SBlanchard@americhem.com ; Jonathan Erb, Chief

Marketing Officer, Cocona, Inc., +1-720-652-9726, jon@coconainc.com ; or

Julie Jones, Director of Public Relations, Keathley Advertising,

+1-330-253-1004, Julie@keathleyad.com
Web site: http://www.Americhem.com/

http://www.Coconafabrics.com/
back