High-performance functional fabric producer, Ventile, announces partnership with Finnish-based NordShield, a nature-based performance fibre technology, as part of the brand’s ongoing sustainability initiative.
From March 2023, Ventile customers will have the opportunity to order fabrics that have been treated with the innovative wood-based technology from NordShield, which is biodegradable, sustainably produced, and free of heavy metals, borax, parabens, and quaternary ammonium compounds (QUATs).
The NordShield technology creates an ultrathin, molecular-sized barrier on the surface of fibres, which physically inhibits microorganisms. The first-of-its-kind technology forms a durable physical layer and acts as a shield, denying these microbes a suitable place to grow or survive and ultimately enhancing the longevity of an item.
Ventile Brand Director, Daniel Odermatt, said: “Our partnership with NordShield marks an important moment for Ventile as the business continues to challenge what is possible with technical textiles and drives our mission to provide sustainable textiles for ethically conscious designers. Offering fabrics that are developed in partnership with innovators such as NordShield allows Ventile to help shape the future of textile solutions in the industry and we are looking forward to seeing how we can continue to work together on sustainable textile solutions.”
The barrier, which is applied after dyeing, part-way through the fabric’s production, does not affect the texture or colour of the finished garment.
NordShield CEO, Kristoffer Ekman, said, “We’re super excited to be able to apply NordShield’s nature-based antimicrobial treatment to a legendary natural material such as Ventile. We believe this is an excellent example of product performance development that works just like nature, improving gradually and adapting to circumstances and conditions. With NordShield, Ventile can be made into even more long-lasting garments, that both protect the wearer from germs as well as keep fresh for a longer time, thereby reducing the need for washing. It’s surely a win-win, also for nature.”
In 2021, Ventile announced its move to a PFC-free company in response to the growing demand for sustainable practices in the textile trade. The Ventile range consists of fabrics that offer increased sustainable credentials such as recycled cotton, organic cotton, and a choice of blended fabrics such as hemp, lyocell, and linen. Ventile fabric is designed to be waterproof, water-repellent, windproof, and breathable.
Ventile Partners with innovative nature-based barrier technology for enhanced product protection
