GreenShield and GreenShield ZERO are nanoparticle based innovations that reduce the health and environmental impact of stain resistant fabric finishes. GreenShield dramatically lowers the amount of fluorochemicals needed to repel oil-based stains, and GreenShield ZERO is Fluorine Free for water-based stains. Both GreenShield and GreenShield ZERO have base components with clear and established safety records.
Old stain resistant technologies encase fabric in a continuous layer of polymer-based chemicals to provide protection.
The GreenShield technology architecture leverages the enormous surface area of each nanoparticle enabling the particles to efficiently deliver the appropriate chemistry to the fabric, while their size is optimized for minimizing contact with liquid droplets. This enables GreenShield coated fabrics to have as little as one tenth the fluorochemical load as its competitors while providing superior water and oil repellency coupled with industry leading stain resistance.
GreenShield and GreenShield ZERO are based on amorphous silica nanoparticles that are also used for such applications as toothpaste and cosmetic creams. Amorphous silica (sand) is a GRAS listed material (Generally Recognized as Safe). GreenShield and GreenShield ZERO are non-emitters, releasing no VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), have no PFOS or PFOA containing fluorochemicals, and are permanently adhered to the fabric as a mesh network, eliminating any concerns about nanoparticles becoming air-borne.
Innovation inspired by nature
In the natural world water does not wet the leaves of many plants because their leaves are rough on a small scale. This microscopic roughness which has been used by nature for thousands of years to provide water repellency is the inspiration behind GreenShield. This is known as biomimicry – the science and art of emulating nature’s best biological ideas to solve human problems.
Learn About BiomimicryFibers with
GreenShield Technology
fibers with old
stain resistant technology
Why Fluorocarbons?
Fluorocarbon telomeres (wiki link) have a unique chemical property: their ability to repel both oil and water based liquids. This omniphobic characteristic is what makes fluorochemicals indispensable in repellent finishes, allowing fabrics to resist oil based stains like mustard and salad dressing in addition to water-based stains like wine and coffee. This broad stain resistance allows for a drastic reduction in both water and energy use when cleaning textile products: a saving for both the end-user and the environment.
Fluorine is a chemical element abundant in our lives, from fluoride salts in drinking water and toothpaste helping prevent cavities, to the LED screens in smart-phones. Although many fluorine-containing products are completely safe, some fluorochemicals bio-accumulate when leaked into the environment. Only a small percentage of fluorine-containing materials pose possible health risks; these compounds are not used in GreenShield, nor are they produced from its decomposition. The GreenShield Company has taken every step possible to ensure the safety in use of an oft maligned chemical family.
WHY FLUORINE-FREE
GreenSheild ZERO was developed as a response to the increasing demand for a Fluorine Free alternative to fluorinated durable water repellents by consumers, industry, and government regulators. GreenShield ZERO meets the requirements of the Healthier Hospitals Initiative which looks to eliminate the use of formaldehyde, perfluorinated compounds, polyvinyl chloride, antimicrobials, and all flame retardants.
Textiles finished with GreenShield ZERO are environmentally friendly, have excellent water repellency, good wash permanency, and increased resistance to abrasion with no impact on breathability while allowing textiles to retain a pleasant hand.
The nanoparticle technology behind Greenshield ZERO reduces the amount of chemicals needed for superior water repellency allowing for a lower cost basis when compared to other durable water repellent finishes on the market today.
The overuse of fluorochemicals is a critical issue of human health and environmental concern.
Building a more sustainable world by learning from nature
A System Perspective
The practice of environmental sustainability requires a system perspective toward product development and manufacturing. The processes used in the manufacture of GreenShield maximize product performance while minimizing environmental, health and safety risks.
The GreenShield manufacturing process
GreenShield Nanotechnology is Green
Not all nanotechnology is Green Nanotechnology. The GreenShield finishes are based on the practice of Green Nanotechnology, which promotes manufacturing and product development through sustainable thinking and precautionary principles.
We recognize that nanotechnology is a relatively new area of scientific study; little is known about the long term risk of nano-materials including their toxicities, potential for emissions, and their environmental and ecological impact. This is why the principles of green nanotechnology are so important.
The GreenShield Advantage
| Waxes | Fluoropolymers | GreenShield | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Resistant | Waxes | Fluoropolymers | GreenShield |
| Oil Resistant | Waxes | Fluoropolymers | GreenShield |
| Durable | Waxes | Fluoropolymers | GreenShield |
| Flexible | Waxes | Fluoropolymers | GreenShield |
| Green | Waxes | Fluoropolymers | GreenShield |
GreenShield provides outstanding water and oil repellency with the lowest possible fluorochemical level; no other treatment can compete.
GreenShield ZERO is Fluorine Free providing excellent water repellency to textiles, does not change the hand of the fabric, and can be used on many materials. GreenShield ZERO contributes to the LEED Healthcare credit for Furniture and Medical Furnishings.
GreenShield is About Choices
By choosing GreenShield, you choose to reduce the use of harmful chemicals impacting the environment and human health, increase recyclability and promote sustainability – it’s the right choice to make.
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