Nano-Tex: Performance fabrics for apparel, uniforms and home furnishings

WHO IS NANO-TEX?
Nano-Tex is a leading fabric innovation company providing nanotechnology-based textile enhancements to the apparel and commercial and residential interiors markets.

HOW LONG HAS NANO-TEX BEEN IN EXISTENCE?
Nano-Tex was founded in 1998.

WHERE ARE THE NANO-TEX OFFICES?
Nano-Tex is headquartered in Oakland, Calif., with operations across the United States, Asia and Europe.

WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NANO-TEX AND BURLINGTON INDUSTRIES?
Burlington’s ownership interest in Nano-Tex passed to WL Ross & Co when they acquired Burlington in late 2003. Since then, we have continued to pursue mutual business and development interests where they have helped both companies serve our respective markets.

WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NANO-TEX AND ITG?
Nano-Tex is an independent company. WL Ross and Co. LLC is a major shareholder, through their ITG division. Other investors include Masters Capital, Firelake Capital Management, Norwest Venture Partners and Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

CAN GARMENTS OR FABRICS BE PURCHASED DIRECTLY FROM NANO-TEX?
No. Nano-Tex does not sell fabrics directly but does provide the chemistry to the Nano-Tex family of licensed mills. In turn, the licensed mills utilize the chemistry to create the enhanced fabrics.

WHO SHOULD I CONTACT ABOUT DOING BUSINESS WITH NANO-TEX?
Regional hubs strategically located worldwide provide local responsiveness, service, and product supply. Representatives from each location can be contacted directly by going to the “Global Contacts” page of this web site and clicking on the link that best fits your geographic location. A Nano-Tex representative will be in touch to answer your questions.

WHAT LICENSED MILLS OFFER NANO-TEX ENHANCED FABRICS?
Nano-Tex currently has 80 licensed mills worldwide offering a full range of fabric substrates. To locate a Nano-Tex representative in your geographic location, go to the “Global Locations” page on this web site and submit your question.

WHAT PRODUCTS DOES NANO-TEX MAKE?
Nano-Tex has a family of textile enhancements that become inherent to the fabric to improve the comfort, appearance and durability of everyday apparel, residential and commercial interiors. Products include:

Resists Spills: spill resistant fabric enhancement for many types of fibers (cotton, synthetics, wool, silk, and rayon, polypropylene) that repels a range of liquids.

Coolest Comfort: quick-absorbing fabric enhancement providing superior wicking properties, which pulls perspiration away from the body and dries it quickly to keep the body cool and comfortable.

Resists Static: the only permanent anti-static treatment for synthetic fabrics.

Resists Spills & Releases Stains: the market’s highest level of stain release combined with stain repellency.

WHAT TYPES OF PRODUCTS UTILIZE NANO-TEX FABRICS?
Nano-Tex currently has product available in the apparel industry ranging from men’s, women’s and children’s trousers, active wear, uniform, shirting and business attire. Nano-Tex also has product represented in the residential and commercial interiors industry ranging from mattress fabrics to stadium seating with many more markets on the near horizon. To see a sampling of the brands offering Nano-Tex fabrics, go to the “Where to Buy” page on this site.

WHERE CAN I FIND NANO-TEX PRODUCTS AT RETAIL?
Nano-Tex products can be found at many well-known quality retail locations. Please refer to the “Where to Buy” page on this web site for specific locations.

WHEN WILL THE NEXT NEW PRODUCT BE AVAILABLE FROM NANO-TEX?
Our product development team is constantly adding and updating our product line. Through continuous innovation, Nano-Tex plans to release additional products in the near future.

WHAT IS NANOTECHNOLOGY?
Nanotechnology is the technical process of working on the nano-scale – each nano-scale molecule is one million times smaller than a grain of sand. Nanotechnology refers to not only the small size of the materials being used, but also how those materials are engineered to perform specific functions.

Traditional coatings make garments feel stiff and clog the weave of the fabric preventing breathability. Using nanotechnology, our treatments are small enough to attach to individual fibers, delivering superior performance characteristics without compromising the look, feel or comfort of the fabric.

HOW LONG WILL THE ENHANCEMENT LAST?
Nano-Tex products are engineered to provide exceptional durability and will perform for the expected life of the fabric or garment.

IS THE NANO-TEX ENHANCEMENT A COATING, TOPICAL OR SPRAY ON TREATMENT?
No. Instead of overwhelming the fabric with a heavy coating, Nano-Tex products are enhanced through the use of nanotechnology – tiny molecules that permanently attach to fibers without clogging the fabric weave – to add superior performance characteristics without compromising the look, feel or comfort of the fabric.

IF GARMENTS ARE WATER RESISTANT, HOW DO YOU WASH THEM?
The garment will “wet out” when detergent is added to the laundry water. Wash the garment as you would any other garment, following the care instructions provided on the manufacturer’s care label.

WHAT ARE THE RECOMMENDED CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS FOR GARMENTS MADE WITH NANO-TEX FABRICS?
Wash the garment as you would any other garment, following the care instructions provided on the manufacturer’s care label. Tumble-drying with heat is required. For optimal performance, steam ironing will enhance performance. Liquid softeners are not recommended. If a fabric softener is desired, dryer sheets are recommended over liquid softeners that are added to the wash process.

Dry cleaning is not recommended for Nano-Tex fabrics. The chemicals found in typical dry cleaning solutions contaminate the fabric and can negatively affect performance and mask the technology.

WHY MIGHT GARMENTS NOT PERFORM TO EXPECTATION?
Fabric softeners, dryer sheets and/or dry cleaning can temporarily mask the enhancement. To rejuvenate performance an additional rinse cycle may be needed and, in the case of the Resists Spills product, steam ironing helps further to invigorate performance.

WHAT MAKES NANO-TEX PRODUCTS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER FABRIC ENHANCEMENTS?
Traditional companies use chemical coatings to give textiles performance characteristics. Instead of overwhelming the fabric with a heavy coating, Nano-Tex products are enhanced through the use of nanotechnology – tiny molecules that permanently attach to fibers without clogging the fabric weave – to add superior performance characteristics without compromising the look, feel or comfort of the fabric.

DOES THE MANUFACTURING OF NANO-TEX ENHANCEMENTS FIT INTO MOST NORMAL MANUFACTURING PROCESSES?
Yes. Nano-Tex enhancements were consciously engineered to run on industry-standard fabric and garment production equipment, with minimal modification or capital investment required by licensees.

HOW IS THE NANO-TEX ENHANCEMENT APPLIED?
Nano-Tex enhancements can be pad applied in fabric form or can be dipped or spray applied in garment form. This process is followed by a normal curing procedure.

CAN YOU PRINT ON TOP OF ENHANCEMENT?
Yes. Nano-Tex enhancements are compatible with heat transfer and screen-printing. Other types of fabric printing would need to be evaluated to determine success.

WHAT ARE THE NANO-TEX SPECS?
Nano-Tex specs vary depending upon end use and substrate. For more specific information, go to the “Global Locations” page on this web site to locate a Nano-Tex representative in your geographic location.