All about 3XDRY®
What is 3XDRY®?
3XDRY® is a finishing technology which combines water repellence and water absorption on one fabric. Textiles finished with 3XDRY® repel moisture from the outside and absorb perspiration more quickly from the inside. This ensures increased wellbeing during all activities.
How does 3XDRY® work?
The 3XDRY® finish combines two technologies on just one fabric. On the outside, the fabric receives a hydrophobic (water-repelling) finish. Therefore it reliably repels moisture. On the inside, the fabric is furnished with a hydrophilic (water-loving) finish. Due to this hydrophilic finish, the perspiration produced by the body is carried away by the moisture-attracting fibres and spread over a wide area. The perspiration can evaporate quickly. In this way, the perspiration evaporates close to the body, supporting the body’s own cooling function. The hydrophobic layer also prevents perspiration escaping to the outside so that, externally, perspiration stains are barely visible.
Where is 3XDRY® used?
3XDRY® is particularly well-suited to fabrics worn close to the body. 3XDRY® is used in all those areas involving intense exercise or strenuous physical activity, for example, sports, working life, outdoor activities or travelling.
What are the benefits of 3XDRY®?
Due to the 3XDRY® finish, perspiration stains are significantly less evident on the outside of the clothing. In addition, the body’s natural cooling function is supported as the perspiration evaporates close to the body. This ensures more energy in active phases. Furthermore, the 3XDRY® finish also displays reliable water and dirt repelling properties, and textiles finished with 3XDRY® are significantly faster to dry after washing.
Where are products with 3XDRY® available?
Textiles with 3XDRY® technology are identified by hang tags or woven labels. Some of these consumer brands can be found on our website under customers. Should you require specific manufacturer information on 3XDRY®, please contact us by using our contact form.
What kind of care do products with 3XDRY® require?
Depending on the base material, textiles with 3XDRY® finish can be washed without difficulty in the washing machine. However, no fabric conditioner should be used. In many cases, fabrics with 3XDRY® finish are also suitable for industrial laundering. Please read the care label on the garment.
Further specifications
Is the 3XDRY® finish suitable for all types of fabric?
Yes. 3XDRY® can be used on all fabrics. This finish also makes textiles in natural fibres functional and fabrics made of synthetic fibres even more functional.
How wash-permanent is 3XDRY®?
Depending on the base material, the finish can withstand up to 50 washes at 40°C. After washing, the function can be reactivated by heat treatment, either in the dryer or by ironing.
Does 3XDRY® affect the breathability of textiles?
No. The elements of the hydrophobic finish wrap themselves around the individual fibers. The fiber interspaces are retained and the breathability remains intact.
About fluorochemicals
Why are fluorochemicals used?
A high level of water, oil and dirt repellence are among the features commonplace in today’s clothing sector and are demanded by consumers. These properties are achieved through the use of classic fluorochemicals.
How are fluorochemicals produced?
Widely used fluorochemicals today are molecule chains known as C8. They consist of eight carbon atoms and 17 fluorine atoms. For some time now, C8 chemicals have been discussed in the context of PFOS (Perfluorooctane sulphonate) and PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid). C8 fluortelomeres are produced in a telomerisation process, whereas PFOS-based chemicals are produced using electrochemical fluorination.
What chemicals are used in 3XDRY®?
3XDRY® is based on future-oriented C6 fluorochemicals (i.e. molecule chains consisting of 6 carbon atoms and 13 fluorine atoms). Even with highly-sensitive measurement methods, which detect impurities as small as 25 ppb (parts per billion), neither PFOA nor PFOS was found. It combines modern functionality and the ecological requirements which will apply to fluorochemicals in the future. The possible secondary components of C6-chemical (for example PFHxA = perfluorohexanoicacid) do have a positive ecological profile.
What is PFOS?
PFOS (Perfluorooctane sulphonate) is a biopersistent, bioaccumulative and toxic fluoroorganic compound (PBT substance). On June 27, 2008, new legislation began in the European Union on that regulates the marketing and use of PFOS in all member states. It restricts the permissible level of PFOS in textiles and other coated materials to below one microgram per square meter.
What is PFOA?
PFOA (Perfluoroocanoic acid), like PFOS, is biopersistent and has been detected at ppb levels (partes-per-billion*) in the environment and in human blood. For this reason, the responsible authorities, in particular EPA (U.S. Environment Protection Agency), are searching for the sources from which PFOA originates and are attempting to clarify how PFOA makes its way into the environment and into the general population. At present, intensive investigations are underway to find the possible entry sources for PFOA. Initially, a withdrawal date for PFOA was established for 2010. However, testing is still ongoing.*
*On 25 January, 2006 the telomer and pluorpolymere manufacturers were invited by the EPA to participate in a global PFOA stewardship program. This program sought the total reduction of PFOA emssions and a 95% reduction of the PFOA content in products by 2010 at the latest. From 2015 onwards, the use of PFOA is to be forgone completely. At the same time, in its PFOA Risk Assessment Draft the EPA says that based on the information available to date, there is no reason for the consumer to forego industrial or consumer products based on perfluorinated compounds.
How does PFOS/PFOA develop?
PFOS is produced by electrochemical fluorination (ECF process). PFOS-based materials are also involved in the manufacturing of water and oil repellent products. However, the largest manufacturer discontinued production of this raw material in 2002. PFOA has been used for decades as an emulsifying agent in manufacturing polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and has been explicitly manufactured for this purpose. Although neither PFOA nor PFOS is used in manufacturing C8 fluortelomers, PFOA traces can occur as contamination.
FAQs for licensees
How can I, as a manufacturer, use the 3XDRY® finish on my own textiles?
In order to use 3XDRY® on your textiles, you, as a manufacturer, are required to sign a Technology License Agreement with our distribution partner Huntsman Textile Effects.
What is a Technology License Agreement?
In this agreement, our distribution partner Huntsman Textile Effects (licensee) grants the manufacturer (sublicensee) the right to apply the patented textile technology 3XDRY® on its products. If you, as textile manufacturer, are interested in the 3XDRY® finish, please send your inquiry by using our contact form. We will contact you as quickly as possible and connect you with the right partner at Huntsman Textile Effects, our distribution partner.
Who is Huntsman Textile Effects?
Huntsman Textile Effect is the distribution partner of Schoeller Technologies AG. The company is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated chemicals. Huntsman Textile Effects manufactures products for a wide variety of global industries, including chemicals, plastics, automotive, aviation, textiles, footwear, paints and coatings, construction technology, agriculture, health care, detergent, personal care, furniture, appliances and packaging. Originally known for pioneering innovations in packaging and, later, for its rapid and integrated growth in petrochemicals, the company now has over 12,000 employees in multiple locations worldwide.
How is the quality of textiles with 3XDRY® finish guaranteed for licensees?
Every fabric finished with 3XDRY® is recorded in a global test system. Directly after production, these textiles are submitted to the responsible Huntsman laboratory and the functionality of the textiles is tested. Only textiles that conform to the specified 3XDRY® quality criteria are released for sale to the clothing manufacturer. Finished fabrics treated with 3XDRY® supplied directly by Schoeller Switzerland are strictly tested before they leave our factory.
How can I, as consumer brand, label products with 3XDRY® technology?
In order to label your products with the 3XDRY® brand, you must sign a free of charge “Trademark License Agreement” with Schoeller Technologies AG. If you are interested in signing an agreement of this kind, please send your inquiry by using our contact form.
What is a „Trademark License Agreement“?
In this agreement, Schoeller Technologies AG grants the licensee the right to use the brand name 3XDRY® for the marketing and sale of its products. Only those products which correspond to the defined quality standards may be labelled with the 3XDRY® brand name.
How can I order 3XDRY® labels?
As a consumer brand with a valid Trademark License Agreement, you will be able to order hangtags and woven labels as soon as the agreement has been signed and once we have received the quality approval numbers. Please send your order directly to lab@schoeller-tech.com. If you purchase fabrics directly from Schoeller Switzerland, please contact the responsible sales contact.
Has the 3XDRY® technology been patented?
Yes. 3XDRY® is a patent-protected technology of Schoeller Technologies AG.
Is 3XDRY® bluesign® certified?
Yes. The technology complies with bluesign®, the world’s most stringent production standard with regard to EHS requirements (Environment, Health and Safety). The bluesign® system guarantees the greatest possible exclusion of substances that could be harmful to humans or the environment and promotes the economical use of resources in manufacturing. Further information can be found under www.bluesign.com.
How can I obtain further information?
Please contact us by using our contact form.