Blog

Polygiene Technology

Mar 05, 2018

What is Polygiene?

Polygiene is a fabric treatment which uses low concentrations of silver salt (silver chloride), which has antimicrobial properties.

The treatment is applied at the finishing stages of textile production and field and lab tests show a high level of odor control beyond the usual lifespan of a garment.

Polygiene silver salt technology is only active on the textiles itself. Polygiene is not nanosilver.

Polygiene is applied to the fabric during the finishing stage at the same time as other treatments. This helps minimize impact on the environment because additional energy or water is not required for application. Polygiene application specialists work closely with the production facilities in order to optimize the application process.

How Polygiene Works

Polygiene prevents the growth of odor-causing bacteria and fungi at the source. To do this Polygiene uses low concentrations of silver salt (silver chloride), which has antimicrobial properties.

Sweat is a natural response to any physical activity. The cooling and heat dispersing actions of up to 2.6 million sweat glands in the average human body are essential to help us perform and keep us comfortable. Sweat is natural and odorless but mixed with textiles it creates a moist and warm environment which is ideal for odor causing bacteria to multiply and grow. It is the bad odor released by the bacteria which leads to the reduced self confidence in 90% of us and which causes 30% of us to discard clothes prematurely.

Minimal Environmental Footprint

Polygiene is driven by the belief that the environment is at the center of sustainability. We want to limit the use of resources today to ensure the availability of resources for future generations.

To do this Polygiene scrutinizes the entire supply chain – from sourcing, production, application through to washing and disposal. Together with outdoor loving consumers and leading environmentally conscious brands we are focused on minimising the environmental footprint of all our activities.

To ensure the availability of resources for future generations, we reduce, recycle and reuse to limit the use of resources today. We consider the entire supply chain – from sourcing material to production and application through to use, washing and disposal. Polygiene treated garments are climate smart. Wear More. Wash Less®

Washing and drying accounts for two thirds (2/3) of the environmental impact of a product. Polygiene treated textiles do not need to be washed as often, which saves water, energy, time and money as well as improve the lifespan of a product. With Polygiene you can wear more, wash less and be climate smart!

Polygiene is a member of the the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, a trade organization comprised of brands, retailers, manufacturers, government, and non-governmental organizations and academic experts, representing more than a third of the global apparel and footwear market. The Coalition is working to reduce the environmental and social impacts of apparel and footwear around the world.

Which brands use Polygiene?

Rab use Polygiene for their Womens & Mens Baselayers, Polartec Alpha Jackets & Sleeping Bags. They also use the treatment on some of their gloves.

Montane utilise Polygiene in their lightweight Baselayers for Men & Women. They have updated their Running Packs to incorporate a Polygiene treatment to keep them smelling better for longer.

Mountain Equipment use Polygiene in their Baselayers.

Patagonia use Polygiene in their Baselayers, Next-to-Skin insulation and Running Gear

Outdoor Research use Polygiene in their Mens & Womens baselayers and some next-to-skin insulated jackets.

Inov8 use Polygiene in their running baselayers and clothing.

Packtowl utilise Polygiene odor control to help keep their towels fresh on longer trips.