US-based global supplier of innovative and sustainable textile finishing, Green Theme Technologies (GTT) has added a PFC-free and water-free stain release treatment to its range of Empel-branded ‘sustainable’ solutions. 

New third-party testing shows Green Theme Technologies Inc.'s EMPEL platform provides robust stain release and creates a protective PFC-free treatment that outperforms other currently available options.

The EMPEL platform was launched by GTT in 2018 with the purpose of removing hazardous PFCs (perfluorocarbons) from textile manufacturing. EMPEL provides the best water repellency and longest-lasting protection possible, in addition to being environmentally sustainable.

The EMPEL Stain Release product encapsulates each fiber within a yarn in a molecular protective polymer, forming a barrier that prevents stains from adhering to fabrics.

Martin Flora, GTT Vice President, said that the purpose of the EMPEL stain release is to extend the usable life cycle of any fabric treated with EMPEL, to reduce the amount of energy required to launder fabrics, and to protect the fabric from common deep penetrating stains that typically ruin the appearance of furniture, upholstery, and apparel.

The chemical has been verified safe and PFC-free by Oeko Tex. GTT's stain protection has multiple uses across sectors and around the world, from outdoor furniture to children's products such as car seats and strollers.

The six-month experiments at the GTT lab in Albuquerque have established EMPEL as a highly realistic choice for mills looking to add stain and oil protection to a variety of fabrics. The idea is to preserve fabrics so that they can be cleaned more easily at lower temperatures. On poly and acrylic textiles typically used in upholstery and outdoor furniture, stains such as ketchup, red wine, salad dressing, suntan oil, and motor oil were applied. The stain was left on for 24 hours before the residue was swept off. The sample was then placed in a test washing machine and washed in cold water for a single cycle. The ASTM standard is used to grade the results.

Empel stain release is now being tested with a few different furniture companies.