PFAS-free water-repellent technology for textiles

Huntersville, North Carolina, US – 11 June, 2025 – Microban H₂O Shield is a portfolio of high-performance, water-repellent technologies engineered to protect a wide range of textile applications—without the use of PFAS. Designed for both synthetic and natural fabrics, this innovative chemistry provides enduring repellency and performance, even after 20+ home launderings. H₂O Shield has consistently outperformed competing technologies, exceeding the industry benchmark of 80+ on the AATCC TM22 spray repellency test.

Key benefits of H₂O Shield

• PFAS-free technology – History of safe use, sustainable, and compliant with evolving global regulations.
• Broad fabric compatibility – Works on polyester, cotton, nylon, and blends.
• Durable water-repellency- Maintains superior performance after repeated home laundering.
• Anti-wicking excellence- Minimizes moisture spread. Ideal for outerwear, footwear and outdoor textiles.
• Cosmetic & structural protection - Reduces chalk marks and improves seam strength to minimize product reworking and returns.
• Lower add-on levels- Enhanced efficiency with the WR-P pretreatment, reducing repellent usage by 15–20%.

Product portfolio

WR-1000

• Superior water repellency for low-touch applications
• Shower curtains, awnings, tents

WR-1001

• Excellent on natural fibers with superior anti-wicking performance optimized for athletic and sweat-resistant apparel
• Apparel, footwear, performance jackets, ski jackets, running fabrics

WR-1002

• Formulated to address chalking defects and color shift issues on dark-colored fabrics prone to scratches
• Outdoor apparel, hiking gear, gloves, technical textiles

WR-1003

• Helps to prevent tearing and is best suited for applications where seam slippage is a concern.
• Backpacks, tents, durable garments

H₂O Shield WR-P: performance enhancing pre-treatment

Enhance your water-repellent efficiency with H₂O Shield WR-P, a pre-treatment applied during the dyeing cycle. Compatible with both natural and synthetic fibers, this advanced formula improves processing stability and final fabric performance.

• Reduces water-repellent usage by 15-20%
• Prevents yellowing and spotting
• Minimizes chalk marks and seam slippage
• Anionic chemistry—easy to integrate into current processes

Proven results that set you apart from the competition

H₂O Shield provides reliable water-resistance for textiles, with performance testing showing the finish maintains effectiveness for up to 20 home launderings and achieves results of 80 or over on the AATCC TM22 spray repellency test.

• 2.5× stronger seams than leading competitors
• Significant reduction in chalk marking
• Superior vertical wicking resistance
• Backed by AATCC TM22 and industry-standard slippage testing
• Powered by Microban, a Trustmark brand for textile protection

Seamless integration

H₂O Shield technologies are engineered for effortless adoption into existing textile manufacturing workflows. All four H₂O Shield formulations are applied using the wet chemistry application method—the pad bath—commonly employed across the textile industry. If the use of the WR-P is desired, it is applied as the final step following the dyeing cycle during an exhaust process, ensuring optimal performance without disrupting production.

bluesign® certification is in progress to validate the product’s compatibility with sustainable production systems and conformity to global Restricted Substances Lists (RSLs).

Beyond water resistance, H₂O Shield is designed to integrate seamlessly with other Microban technologies, including antimicrobial and odor control solutions.