New plant-based fabric technology passes EPA hurdle

Noble Biomaterials, a producer of antimicrobial solutions for soft surface applications, announces that its latest antimicrobial technology has received official Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration. Ionic+® Botanical uses a bio-based registered citric acid formula to inhibit the growth of microbes and reduce odor on fabric and other soft surfaces. 

The company began development of the proprietary formula in 2021. Registering the citric acid-based active formula allows Noble’s licensed partners to claim antimicrobial benefits such as odor control and surface protection for various performance fabric applications.

Citric Acid is one of the most commonly used ingredients in food and beverage products, pharmaceutical and dietary products and cleaning agents. The registration of Noble’s citric formula introduces this commonly used product into a new arena: the protection of textiles and other manufactured materials.  Noble has seen the growing interest in plant-based solutions and recognizes its new technology can support the effort to meet the demand for high performance, sustainable material preservation solutions.

Receiving an EPA registration is a big step in the process of advancing Noble’s Ionic+ Botanical products. The EPA regulates antimicrobial actives by reviewing the toxicity of the ingredients and the potential for exposure. Approval of a product for registration is based on scientific assessment related to the identity, composition, potential adverse effects, and environmental fate of each EPA-registered product. 

The new product line compliments Noble’s established Ionic+ Mineral® products built around the benefits of permanent silver technology to control bacteria on fabric. The company has a history of innovating, covering what it says was the first EPA-registered silver-based textiles, advances in the use of silver metallized yarns and fibers in wound care, to the first silver antimicrobial textile on the International Space Station. Noble’s antimicrobial products are used in applications found on elite athletes, in healthcare and medical supplies, as well as for military uses.