Background information on PFOS and PFOA
In the 21st Century, we have become used to many beneficial properties and functions of modern clothing and textiles. A high level of water, oil, and dirt repellency are among the features now commonplace in today's clothing sector and are demanded by consumers. These properties are achieved through the use of classic fluorochemicals.

The most widely-used today are molecule chains known as C8. They consist of eight carbon atoms and 17 fluorine atoms. For some time now, C8 chemicals have been discussed in the context of PFOS (Perfluorooctane sulphonate) and PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid). C8 fluortelomeres are produced in a telomerization process, whereas PFOS-based chemicals are produced using electrochemical fluorination.

What is PFOS?
PFOS (Perfluorooctane sulphonate) is a biopersistent, bioaccumulative and toxic fluoro-organic compound (PBT substance). New legislation will come into force in the European Union on June 27, 2008, regulating the marketing and use of PFOS in all member states. It restricts permissible level of PFOS in textiles or other coated materials to below one microgram per square meter (or to 1 ppm).

What is PFOA?
PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid), like PFOS, is biopersistent and has been detected at ppb levels (parts-per-billion*) in the environment and in human blood. For this reason, the responsible authorities, in particular the EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency), are searching for the sources from which PFOA originates and want to clarify how PFOA has made its way into the environment and into the general population. At present, intensive investigations are being carried out to find the possible entry sources for PFOA. A withdrawal date for PFOA has been established for 2010.

How does PFOS/PFOA develop?
PFOS is produced by electrochemical fluorination (ECF process). Among other areas of use, PFOS-based materials are also involved in the manufacturing of water repellent and oil repellent products. However, the largest manufacturer discontinued production of this raw material in 2002.

PFOA has been used for decades as an emulsifying agent in manufacturing polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and has been explicitly manufactured for this purpose.

Although neither PFOA nor PFOS is used in manufacturing C8 fluortelomeres, PFOA traces can occur as contamination.

NanoSphere® is free of PFOS and PFOA
After intensive research and development cooperation, the NanoSphere® technology has been re-worked and now uses a future considered C6 fluorochemical(i.e., molecule chains consisting of 6 carbon atoms and 13 fluorine atoms). Even using highly-sensitive measuring methods that detect contamination at 25 ppb (parts per billion); neither PFOS nor PFOA has been found. The new NanoSphere® finish is therefore considered to be free of PFOS and PFOA **. So even today, it combines modern functionality with the ecological standards that will apply to fluorochemicals in the future.

NanoSphere® at the cutting edge
Successful reformulation of future considered C6 fluorochemicals, new recipe, simplified handling, highest performance and outstanding durability

The new NanoSphere finish achieves top results in terms of the self-cleaning effect, oil and water repellency, abrasion resistance and washing permanence. Due to the use of the most modern C6 fluorocarbon technology, NanoSphere is also free of PFOA and PFOS. This combination of highest performance and highest ecological safety reinforces a worldwide unique position for the product developed in Switzerland

A generation for the future

For the new NanoSphere, the research teams from Clariant and Schoeller have combined the latest technologies and developed a product that meets the highest requirements in everyday use and is geared to meet the environmental requirements of the future. Through the use of future considered C6 fluorochemicals, the NanoSphere finish is free of PFOA and PFOS.

Due to the new recipe and nanoparticle mix, it still achieves an extremely high level of water and oil repellency and meets the most demanding washing and dry cleaning requirements. The finish is highly abrasion resistant and the protective function remains lastingly active, even when exposed to considerable load and after frequent washings.

The highest ecological safety
The new NanoSphere finish also meets the challenging specifications of the bluesign Standard (www.bluesign.com). According to Peter Waeber, CEO of bluesign technologies ag, it is particularly important in the context of nanotechnology to offer a "controlled and controllable product." For example, a specially developed coating matrix ensures that the millions of nanoparticles on the fabric's surface cannot come adrift. As such, there is no danger that they will dissolve during washing, dry cleaning or ironing. In addition, today's nanoparticles are thermo-stable up to 1700°C.

Simple use
Safe and simple also applies to the use: The newly-formulated components for this future considered finishing technology can be incorporated simply and directly into the finishing bath in specified quantities. An aqueous stabilized formulation ensures that the nanoparticles cannot be inhaled during further processing in manufacturing plants.

Permanent performance and high levels of safety in use
The examination of the new NanoSphere finish by the internationally renowned Hohenstein Research Institute confirms consistently positive properties. In original state and after mechanical exposure to 5000 abrasion cycles and 30 wash cycles (with subsequent heat treatment) the finish is certified as having a very high and lasting level of hydrophobic and oleophobic properties. "The new NanoSphere finish is undoubtedly a nanotechnology," confirms Dr. Jan Beringer, the institute's Head of Testing and Director of the Textile Services and Innovations Department. "We also tested the biological safety in terms of possible biological activity (cytotoxicity and genotoxicity or HET-CAM). NanoSphere passed all tests with excellent ratings and is safe."

Positive prospects
Today we have in our hands not only the most functional but also the safest and most sustainable self-cleaning and dirt-repelling finish," says Thomas Winkler, Head of Clariant's Textile business, and Hans U. Kohn, COO of Schoeller Technologies. For the entire textile chain - from textile producers or finishers to clothing manufacturers or retail trade and on to the final consumer - a product is now available that not only offers top functionality but also meets today all the environmental specifications of the future.

Since last September, Clariant International Ltd. and Schoeller Technologies AG have been working closely in a strategic partnership for NanoSphere. Schoeller Technologies AG holds corresponding patents and manages the marketing and the branding of the NanoSphere brand. The Clariant textile business is responsible for production, worldwide sales and distribution as well as the transfer of knowledge and quality assurance to the licensed textile mills. Previously licensed operators have already been and will consistently continue to be converted to the new NanoSphere components; new license partners come on board with the further-developed technology.