ADDITIVES | ANTIMICROBIAL
and zinc, and organic compounds, said that its textile solutions can be added at any point in the fibre production process, including embedding in the material or applied to a textile as a topical treatment. The company’s antimicrobials can also be used for a wide range of plastic products, such as kitchen equipment and products in healthcare environments.
Above: Parx antimicrobial products prevent
biofouling in aquaculture crates: crates shown after six months of use with (right) and without (left) Parx technology
batch producers specialising in the fibre industry. These additives and masterbatches use a range of active substances, including inorganic chemistry (silver, zinc, copper), organic chemistry, and natural plant extracts (peppermint oil). Fibre extrusion has some specific requirements for antimicrobial additives. “First, depending on the deniers extruded, there may be particle size requirements; typically, companies extruding fibres prefer a particle diameter below 1 micron,” explained Ellefsen. “Sec- ond, extrusion temperatures for fibres are higher, requiring the use of additive systems that can be stable to temperatures exceeding 300° C. Third, in order to avoid filter pressure build-up, the additive dispersion must be exceptionally good, requiring masterbatching by specialised companies.” For topical application to textiles, HeiQ supplies both non-biocidal odour control finishes using odour-capture chemistry or odour-neutralisation chemistry, and biocidal odour control finishes using active substances such as peppermint oil, elemental silver, silver chloride, silane quat, and sodium pyrithione, said Ellefsen. At the start of this year, HeiQ and textile chemicals company Archro- ma announced a global partnership to sell antimi- crobial finishes and odour control finishes for textiles. “The parties are merging R&D efforts to develop additional HeiQ branded odour control and antimicrobial products for the textile industry,” Ellefsen said. The latest from HeiQ is a probiotic product for nonwovens used in absorbent hygiene products. HeiQ Synbio WOW combines immediate odour- neutralisation technology with long-term odour suppression. “HeiQ is the first company to use probiotic organisms in absorbent hygiene products to prevent odour formation and improve skin health,” claimed Ellefsen. UK-based Biocote, which supplies antimicrobial technologies including silver, zinc, blends of silver
20 COMPOUNDING WORLD | July 2026
Zinc additives Parx Materials, headquartered in the Netherlands, offers an antimicrobial technology based on elemental zinc that it has trademarked as Passive Action Polymer Technology. It is a non-biocidal alternative to traditional antimicrobial and fouling- prevention methods. One area of application is in preventing biofoul- ing in aquaculture crates and fishing nets, the company said. The technology’s embedded zinc modifies the surface charge, which prevents biofilm formation. Blocking the initial bacteria growth and biofilm formation then prevents the attachment of microalgae as well as attachment of mussels and barnacles.
Early this year, Parx Materials announced a
collaboration through 2030 with Shanghai Textile Raw Materials, a subsidiary of Orient International Group, which is one of China’s largest textile and garment conglomerates, to produce antibacterial yarns with Parx’s zinc-based technology. Parx’s technology can incorporate the antibacte-
rial directly into the fibre spinning process, rather than in post-processing application, the company reported. It demonstrates durable performance after multiple industrial washing cycles and retains the natural properties of textiles, such as softness, breathability, and appearance. “Our antimicrobial technology has been
thoroughly tested and validated in a variety of textile applications as well as at the mass produc- tion level, with excellent results,” said Michael van der Jagt, CEO of Parx Materials. “The technology achieves more than 99.9% antibacterial efficiency against common pathogens, while maintaining the natural properties of advanced fibres such as lyocell.” The company noted that it does not use heavy
metals, nanoparticles, or sterilising chemicals, making it suitable for sensitive applications. According to the company’s press release, the global antibacterial textile market could grow larger than $12bn by 2030, and the fastest growing area is the Asia-Pacific region. “Oriental Interna- tional Group’s manufacturing capabilities and extensive distribution network provide an ideal
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IMAGE: PARX MATERIALS
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