TEXTILES.ORG
As the textile industry works to eliminate PFAS from fabrics and finishes, a key challenge remains: how to maintain performance without relying on harmful fluorochemicals. PFAS-free alternatives like C0 chemistry have gained traction, but they often fall short, particularly when it comes to water repellency, durability and long-term product integrity.
Haartz Corp. is the exclusive North American licensee of the Green Theme Technologies EMPEL™ process, a PFAS-free textile treatment that the company says outperforms traditional C0 finishes. According to Hartz, EMPEL can reliably deliver exceptional water repellency, breathability, durability and soft hand feel, without introducing toxic chemicals into the supply chain.
With regulatory pressure mounting, and with more states and countries moving to restrict PFAS in textiles, brands are under increased scrutiny to provide safer, more sustainable materials, without compromising quality. Manufacturers, therefore, need alternatives that are scalable, compliant and consumer ready.The company says that its product can be applied across a range of fabric types where water repellency, durability and environmental safety are critical. As the industry evolves, the company says it can offer perspective on how advanced PFAS-free solutions are being integrated into the supply chain and what it takes to move from legacy chemistries to next-generation alternatives.