PurThread Technologies Announced Tested Fiber with Antimicrobial Properties Is Available

DURHAM, N.C. — November 14, 2012 — PurThread Technologies announced today its clinically tested fiber with antimicrobial properties is now available to manufacturers of products for sports enthusiasts, industrial workers, and emergency first responders through its partners Beal Manufacturing and Pharr Yarns. The new brand, called Sabiya® by PurThread Technologies, is a high performance fiber and yarn that uses proprietary integration technology and fiber formulations that incorporate elements such as silver, to inhibit the growth of destructive and odor-causing bacteria, mold, mildew and fungus. The Sabiya product line is available in both fine denier, high-tenacity nylon and polyester.  It meets the AATCC-100 24-Hour Test, a quantitative measure of how well the fabric inhibits the growth of odor-causing microorganisms.

"We are thrilled to introduce a next-generation technology to the marketplace," said Jenifer Smyth, VP of Consumer, Industrial and Military Applications at PurThread.  "The market is demanding a product that can work and play as hard as its customers, and with Sabiya by PurThread Technologies, we aim to meet that need.  Our goal is to continue to drive ground-breaking science in all our product lines."

The antimicrobial properties of the Sabiya fabric are integrated at the raw material level, before it is spun into yarn.  This provides an even distribution of the antimicrobial elements that does not wash out or wear off.  Additionally, because the compound binds to the fiber at the raw state, it fights odors while keeping fabric soft and pliable. This fiber technology from PurThread is in contrast to other antimicrobial textiles on the market which may be superficially coated treatments that wash off over time, or are coatings on a regular fiber.  Additionally, Sabiya fibers can be available in a wide range of solution-dyed colors, as well as a light ivory that can be in turn dyed and printed, making Sabiya available to enter a variety of end-use applications.

"We have enjoyed seeing the Sabiya fiber run so smoothly in our plant and we are looking forward to bringing this high quality yarn to our discriminating customers," said Giles Beal of Beal Manufacturing.

PurThread is partnering with Beal Manufacturing to produce Sabiya yarns for a wide variety of athletic uses such as shirts, jackets, shorts and socks.  To bring Sabiya yarn to the industrial and emergency first responder community, PurThread is partnering with Pharr Yarns.

"The Sabiya odor neutralization properties are in high demand with our customers," said Jim Sells of Pharr Yarns. "They have tough, often dirty jobs to do and far from regular opportunities to clean their gear, so we are excited to introduce to them a product that's as tough and durable as they are."

The Sabiya line of products is available for a wide variety of uses, including athletic, intimate, hunting, and outdoor apparel, and is well suited for a variety of home and hospitality fabric products.