Americhem, Cocona Team To Develop Activated Carbon Masterbatch

Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio-based custom color and additive solutions provider Americhem Inc. and Boulder, Colo.-based Cocona Inc. — developer of Cocona® yarn technology using activated carbon from recycled coconut shells to provide odor control, ultraviolet protection and quick-drying properties in apparel fabrics — have partnered to develop an activated carbon masterbatch to incorporate into nylon and polyester fibers used in a range of apparel applications.

 According to Dr. Vaman Kulkarni, technical marketing director, Americhem, the masterbatch is suitable for fine-denier spinning and retains the properties of the activated carbon even though it is encapsulated in the polymer.

Roger Threadgill, technology manager, Fibers and Engineering Resins, Americhem, added that the principles applied came out of the company’s nanotechnology research. “In order to have the activated carbon present in a fine enough form, we use a multiple-step process to reduce the size of the carbon particles,” he explained. “We then encapsulate the particles in a carrier resin that will promote dispersion into the very fine denier filaments used in high-performance apparel. It was not an easy result to achieve.”

“No other company was able to create a dispersion that would work in this particular application,” said Jonathan Erb, chief marketing officer, Cocona.

Cocona technology is found in sportswear, underwear, golfwear and other activewear offered by more than 50 brands.

July 15, 2008