Polartec switches to peppermint for metal-free odour resistance

Andover - Polartec has announced the switch to peppermint for metal-free odour resistance treatment across its line of performance fabrics. The bluesign-certified peppermint oil odour resist treatment is described as an easily renewable, highly sustainable and biodegradable solution for inhibiting odour at the source.
Part of Polartec’s growing Eco-Engineering initiative, the peppermint oil is sustainably harvested using an eco-friendly steam extraction process. Knowing that body odour occurs when bacteria metabolise fatty acids and proteins in sweat, and secrete waste, the oil effectively inhibits the growth of odour-causing microbes in the fabric.
The odourless peppermint oil-based treatment was proven in R&D trials to achieve a 99 per cent microbial reduction, even after 50 wash cycles (per industry standard testing JIS L1902). According to those results, the treatment is effectively permanent. In garment use trials, where it really counts, Polartec’s “sniff judges” rated the odour control as better than or equal to the protection offered by past metal containing treatments.
A bellwether of peppermint oil-based treatment, all Polartec Power Dry, Polartec Power Grid, and Polartec Delta fabrics will have permanent odour resistance. Production in Italy and China will begin in the late fall, with the United States to follow in 12 months.
“This new odour-resist treatment using responsibly sourced, all-natural peppermint oil aligns with our overarching Polartec Eco-Engineering mission, which is to develop performance materials based in sustainable science,” said Karen Beattie, Senior Polartec Product Marketing Manager.