High IQ Repel brand

Huntsman Textile Effects has launched the HIGH IQ Repel brand assurance scheme to help mills, brands and retailers meet global demand for eco-friendly apparel with rain and stain protection. To satisfy a variety of customer needs, the brand and license program is built on a comprehensive range of non-fluorinated durable water repellents (DWR), which now includes the new PHOBOTEX RCO finishing for cotton and cotton-rich blends.

Rain-, stain- and soil-resistant effects are critical in sportswear, active wear and extreme-sports apparel. These effects are also increasingly important in the fast-growing casual and athleisure wear segments, where style, comfort and performance are priorities. With the global retail sports apparel industry expected to exceed $175 billion by 2019, many brands and retailers are now extending their lines with fashion sportswear and activewear collections.

At the same time, there is a global call for more environmentally friendly formulations. This signals a move away from per-fluorinated chemicals (PFCs) due to concern about hazardous residues associated with long-chain C8 PFCs.  

With HIGH IQ Repel finishes, Huntsman Textile Effects leads the industry transition to non-fluorinated alternatives that meet stringent environment, health and safety standards. Developed with the consumer in mind, these finishes are customized to deliver protection for different end-use categories: everyday apparel, outdoor clothing, and extreme sportswear.

“The HIGH IQ Repel program offers brands, retailers and mills a way to produce high-performance rain and stain resistant textiles that satisfy increasingly demanding consumers without compromising environmental sustainability,” said Lee Howarth, Global Marketing Manager for Finishing at Huntsman Textile Effects. “Our HIGH IQ Repel program leverages decades of technical innovation and production expertise, and is based on the most comprehensive range of durable water repellents available to the industry.”

The breadth and quality of the Huntsman DWR product range means that mills and brands can select the right finish to produce competitive, eco-friendly textiles that meet their exact performance specifications. Under the HIGH IQ Repel branding and license program, mills that meet Huntsman’s stringent product and process requirements earn the right to use the HIGH IQ Repel hang tag to identify their fabrics. This allows their partner brands and retailers to assure customers that the fabrics they use are sustainable and will deliver the expected performance and benefits.

PHOBOTEX RCO water repellent finish added to comprehensive DWR range

To create the HIGH IQ Repel program, Huntsman Textile Effects combined its innovative DWR finishes with unparalleled technical support and application know-how. The global leader in textile dyes and chemicals has now extended its market-leading range of PHOBOTEX non-fluorinated DWR products with the introduction of PHOBOTEX RCO water repellent finish.

Bringing high water repellency to cellulosic and cellulosic-based fabrics, PHOBOTEX RCO finish provides durable eco-friendly protection against everyday stains and is ideal for casual wear, athleisure wear and school wear. PHOBOTEX RCO finishing also contributes to mill efficiency, with good running properties that help ensure smooth production. Furthermore, it is an environment-friendly non-fluorinated solution that does not contain any formaldehyde or blocked isocyanates.

PHOBOTEX RCO water repellent finishing joins a broad portfolio of non-fluorinated DWR products that meet the performance requirements of the HIGH IQ Repel program. All the HIGH IQ Repel finishes offer excellent protection against rain while remaining breathable, comfortable and soft to the touch. The Huntsman DWR solutions also repel stains so that garments look clean and new for longer, with improved stain release for easy spot-cleaning and durability through many laundry cycles.

The HIGH IQ Repel product line offers finishes in three categories of performance:

• HIGH IQ Repel Everyday provides smart and economical eco-friendly protection against everyday stains for school, casual, athleisure and business wear.
• HIGH IQ Repel Outdoor offers durable and eco-friendly protection for outdoor clothing that excels in all weather.
• HIGH IQ Repel Extreme delivers extreme protection so that mountaineers, skiers and other adventurers stay warm, dry and comfortable, even in the most severe environments.

All products in the HIGH IQ Repel range are based on non-fluorinated technologies and comply with the requirements of bluesign, the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals Roadmap and the Restricted Substances Lists of the world’s most exacting global brands in addition to being suitable for OEKO-TEX Standard 100.