Textiles are an essential part of everyday life and numerous commercial and industrial applications. Whether used in workwear, upholstery fabrics, vehicle interiors, hotels, healthcare facilities, or technical applications: textile surfaces are exposed every day to moisture, contamination, stains, and mechanical stress.
The NP® surface technologies developed by Nanopool are designed to provide suitable textiles with water- and dirt-repellent properties. Depending on the product system, the textile material, professional application, and subsequent conditions of use, they can support the protection, care, and preservation of the value of textile surfaces.
Liquids are repelled at the fibre surface.
Liquids and stains soak into the fibres.
The NP® Liquid Glass technology forms an ultra-thin and transparent functional layer on the fibre surface of suitable textiles.
Through targeted functionalisation of the fibres, water- and dirt-repellent properties can be achieved, making it more difficult for certain liquids and contaminants to penetrate. The coating is designed to largely preserve the characteristic appearance, flexibility, and tactile properties of the textile.
Since textiles differ in terms of fibre material, fabric structure, finishing, colour, and intended use, we recommend testing on a suitable sample area before every application.
The near-surface functionalisation can facilitate the cleaning and maintenance of treated textiles. The actual achievable effect depends on the respective textile, the type of contamination, the usage conditions, and the cleaning process applied.
Every textile application has different requirements regarding material, function, and durability. The suitable NP® product system and application method are therefore selected according to the specific textile and intended use.
Depending on the specific application, NP® textile solutions can contribute to:
The type and extent of these effects depend in particular on the fibre type, fabric structure, pre-treatment, application quality, usage, and cleaning process.
Selected NP® product systems for textiles have been examined by independent research institutes and testing laboratories on defined textiles and test specimens.
The tests include, among other aspects, water- and stain-repellent properties, abrasion and washing resistance, artificial weathering, as well as the fire behaviour of selected treated textiles.
For Nanopool Fibre Protect, product-specific evidence is also available regarding the OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT and compliance with ZDHC MRSL requirements. Tests for per- and polyfluorinated compounds have also been carried out for defined NP® textile products using the respective specified analytical methods.
Overview of Selected Evidence and Test Results
The complete significance of each result is determined by the respective test report, including the product designation, test specimen, pre-treatment, application method, and test conditions.
Depending on the product system and successful verification of material compatibility, applications may include the following materials:
Not every product system is equally suitable for every fibre, textile finish, or application. Before large-scale treatment, material compatibility, the desired function, colour, feel, and care properties must therefore be tested using a representative sample.
NP® Liquid Glass technology for textiles can be used in the following areas:
The selection of the appropriate product system depends on the textile material, the intended use, the required performance characteristics, and any regulatory or normative requirements that may need to be fulfilled.
Companies, building operators, and textile service providers face the challenge of using high-quality textiles economically while simultaneously meeting requirements regarding maintenance, appearance, and functionality.
Depending on the specific application, NP® textile solutions can offer the following advantages:
Whether and to what extent water, cleaning agents, labour time, or costs can be saved depends on the textile material, the type and frequency of contamination, the usage conditions, and the previous and future cleaning processes. Specific savings must be determined for each individual application.
Our solutions are primarily aimed at:
Nanopool and individual technology developments have received multiple awards from national and international organisations.
The awards recognise the specific projects, applications, or company achievements submitted in each case. They document the recognition of these developments by the respective organisation or jury; however, they do not replace product-specific testing and performance evidence for a particular textile application.
The ultra-thin and transparent NP® functional layer is designed to largely preserve the characteristic feel, flexibility, and appearance of suitable textiles.
Since the result depends on the fibre material, fabric structure, pre-treatment, and application process, the effect is tested on a representative textile sample before application.
Due to the near-surface functionalisation, the air permeability and water vapour transmission characteristic of the textile can largely be maintained.
However, a general statement cannot be made for all textiles. If breathability is essential for the intended application, it should be evaluated on the treated original material using a suitable testing method.
Whether and how a treated textile can be washed depends on the textile, the NP® product system, and the respective care instructions.
For a PES fabric treated with an NP® product, a repellent effect against red wine, motor oil, frying fat, and salad dressing was documented after up to 50 washing cycles. This result cannot be transferred to other fibres, contaminants, washing procedures, or products without further testing.
Nanopool Fibre Protect and defined NP® textile products have been tested for per- and polyfluorinated compounds using the analytical methods specified in the respective reports. Within the scope of these methods, none of the tested PFC compounds were detected in the analysed samples.
This statement applies exclusively to the tested product, the investigated groups of substances, the analytical methods used, and their respective detection limits.
For Nanopool Fibre Protect, among other things, an OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT for the specified application area and ZDHC MRSL conformity Level 1 are documented.
The current certificate status, the exact product name, and the scope of validity defined in the respective documentation are decisive.
For selected treated textiles, no negative influence on the tested fire and ignition behaviour properties was identified under the respective test conditions.
The results apply exclusively to the tested material structures. Treatment does not constitute general fire protection equipment and does not replace any fire testing or approval required for the specific application.
Water- and dirt-repellent properties can facilitate the cleaning of suitable treated textiles and, under certain conditions of use, enable longer cleaning intervals.
The actual achievable effect depends on the textile type, contamination, mechanical stress, and cleaning process. Specific savings should be evaluated and documented based on the respective application.
Protection against the penetration of certain liquids and easier removal of contaminants can help maintain the appearance and functional properties of treated textiles for longer periods.
A specific extension of service life or usage duration is not guaranteed in general. This depends, among other factors, on material quality, manufacturing, usage, maintenance, mechanical stress, and reprocessing.
All mentioned test results, certifications, and performance statements refer exclusively to the respective specified product, the tested textile specimen, the stated test method, and the documented conditions.
Results may vary depending on fibre type, fabric structure, pre-treatment, colour, application quantity, drying conditions, usage, cleaning, and mechanical stress. Transfer of results to other products, textiles, or applications is only possible after appropriate technical evaluation and, where necessary, additional testing.
Certifications and conformity statements are valid only within their current documented scope of application and validity period. Detailed documentation is available upon request for the respective application case.
Tell us about your textile application. We advise manufacturers, operators and textile services on the right protection concept for high-quality textiles.
