TEXTILES.ORG
Exton, Pa.-based AGC Chemicals Americas has released a series of AsahiGuard E-Series PFOA-free repellents with improved environmental and biological profiles.
Liquid-repelling agents have had a history of sustainability issues, the company notes in a press release, because of their potential to break down and form perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) or perfluorooctane sulfonate. They are used on such automotive interior components as seating fabrics, floor mats, door panels and trunk linings, as well as under-car components like mufflers and fuel tanks, which are often wrapped with repellent-treated nonwoven fabrics to dampen noise and provide thermal insulation.
The company’s release says industry regulators have evaluated its AsahiGuard E-Series repelling agents and determined them to be safe and effective for use in such nonwoven automotive applications. The repellents are based on AGC’s patented short-chain C6 polymerization technology that supports industry environmental initiatives and provides a sustainable alternative to long-chain C8 technology.
AsahiGuard repellents are non-flammable, odorless, transparent when treated, and can be applied to nonwoven materials before or after installation. They are compatible with auxiliary agents and provide a breathable, low-friction finish that repels water and releases stains.