The Art of No Compromise - HeiQ

The Art of No Compromise
Nylstar is a Spanish manufacturer
of polyamide fibers
with a proud 80-year history.
Nylstar produces the world’s
widest range of standard and
custom polyamide 6.6 yarns,
as well as technical yarns used
in some of the most advanced
technical textiles in the global
marketplace.
In business, as in life, we must often
compromise. Something good is
added, something else is taken
away. We balance our choices, and
try to make the best decision. That’s
just how life is.
The textile industry is usually no
exception. When one feature is added,
it almost always has some kind
of effect on the others. Add flame
retardancy, and softness is impacted.
Adjust softness, and colorfastness
may be compromised. And on
and on it goes.
Nylstar knows all about these
kinds of trade-offs, and the delicate
balance that goes into textile
manufacturing. But, like everyone
else, they are always searching for a
SUCCESS STORY
Nylstar was looking to add an antibacterial function to its new
Nylcare ® fiber – without negatively impacting color, yarn quality,
manufacturing, or cost. They searched long and hard for a
process that would allow them to have everything, hoping for
what seemed hopeless. Fortunately, HeiQ had just the right
solution.
fresh advantage – always hoping for
a win-win wherever possible.
So when Nylstar went to develop
their antimicrobial, odor-preventingfiber
for underwear, intimates, and
sportswear, they wanted the best of
all worlds. They wanted an odorpreventing
solution of the highest
caliber. And they hoped to hold
onto every other key property of the
fibers as well. It might seem unreasonable.
But high expectations are
how we get ahead in this world.
A “Refreshingly” Simple Solution
Nylstar went through various antimicrobial
solutions before they finally
found the one that allowed them to
have everything. And that solution
came from HeiQ.

SUCCESS STORY
The HeiQ’s AGS-20 MB proved to
be the perfect freshness process for
Nylstar. It delivered exceptional bacteriostatic
functionality – with almost
no impact on any other quality. And
it was added to the Nylstar masterbatch,
in a process-friendly way,
at a very competitive cost. Thus,
Nylcare ® was born – and all notions
of compromise were left behind.
Creating the Perfect
Freshness Fiber
HeiQ and Nylstar collaborated closely
to develop the bacteriostatic qualities
of Nylcare ® . The team considered
a number of success factors.
Firstly, the antimicrobial additive
needed to be straightforward to
spin, avoiding yarn breakages and
abrasion of yarn-contact surfaces.
Second, the solution needed to
have almost no impact on critical
yarn properties like tensile strength,
UV stability, and others. Thirdly, the
freshness function needed to be
highly durable, holding onto superior
bacteriostatic properties for
very long time – even beyond 100
washes.
HeiQ AGS-20 MB satisfied every
condition, with flying colors.
And incidentally, colorfastness was
another crucial property for Nylstar;
testing had revealed that many
other freshness solutions caused
premature discoloration. But the
HeiQ AGS-20 MB tested beautifully
for color retention.
HeiQ’s solution was more sustainable
as well, achieving better
bacteriostatic quality with much less
active material.
A Polyamide Fiber That Has It All
Nylcare ® has become a primary
polyamide product for Nylstar,
known for its superior and durable
antimicrobial function, its competitive
cost, and its sustainable properties
– all with the impeccable yarn
quality that Nylstar is known for.
So it seems you can have it all,
sometimes. When you’re working
with a more intelligent solution, that
is.
HeiQ Materials AG is a Swiss company developing and manufacturing antimicrobial silver and other sustainable textile effects
for the most challenging customer demands. Focusing on textile and medical device markets, the company seeks to build
innovation inspired by nature into its products, making them naturally performing. HeiQ’s products are characterized by high
efficiency coupled with long-lasting performance, yet with a minimum impact on the environment. HeiQ is recognized as a young
and innovative company, with a palette of award winning, state-of-the-art technologies.
Pure by HeiQ is a family of
silver-based antimicrobial
textile effects that can be
applied to a nearly unlimited
range of fabrics. The treated
fabric becomes an environment
that successfully restricts
the growth of smelly bacteria,
leaving fabrics fresh, clear,
healthy, and odor free – even
after hundred washes.
HEIQ MATERIALS AG
Zürcherstrasse 42
5330 Bad Zurzach
Switzerland
For more information:
info@heiq.com
www.heiq.com