The jury was convinced by a new product that inhibits the development of unpleasant odor-causing bacteria on textiles through the repellent action of this technology. SANITIZED AG cooperated on this research project with the Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology.

SANITIZED AG is a pioneer in the field of the lasting hygiene function and material protection for textiles and polymers. Sanitized additives are used worldwide to treat end products and thus to protect them from environmental influences in order to make them safe hygienically.

Constantly seeking to develop their products further and particularly looking for new technologies, the SANITIZED AG researchers closely monitor the developments and innovations in many branches of the industry. So the current success is the result of a discussion between Niklaus J. Lüthi, the owner of SANITIZED AG, and Dr. Heinz Katzenmeier, the Innovation Manager, about the risks of bacterial colonization during implants in the human body.

To increase patient safety, medical engineering is using a technology that repels bacteria. The idea of transferring these mechanisms of action to an application for textiles was realized with the Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology. The backing of the federal Innovation Promotion Agency (CTI) as the financing partner was obtained.

The innovation honored with the SWISS TECHNOLOGY AWARD was developed for the application to textiles to reduce the problem of undesirable odor formation, for an unpleasant odor can redevelop on the clothing right after washing. This odor is generated by the metabolic byproducts of naturally occurring bacteria that were not eliminated completely during the washing.

The outcome of this research project is the Sanitized Pluma technology, which inhibits the buildup of bacteria on the surface of the fibers and the undesirable odor development. This is the decisive difference compared with previously applied technologies: even the colonization of the textile surface by bacteria is prevented.

The surface of the textile is coated with a special polymer that retains a microscopically thin film of water on the surface of the textile. The docking of bacteria on the textile fibers is thus inhibited, and existing bacteria are rinsed away during hand or low-temperature washing. This saves both energy and water and sustainably extends the life of the textiles.

Consumers can recognize products treated with Sanitized by the diamond-shaped tags with the Sanitized logo. Well-known companies worldwide, including Levi Strauss & Co., Marks & Spencer, Zimtstern, Franke (kitchen systems) or Carhartt, trust the company from Burgdorf with its more than 60 years of experience.

The SWISS TECHNOLOGY AWARD is the leading prize in Swiss technology. It is initiated by the Swiss Economic Forum which would like to promote entrepreneurship and the culture of innovation in Switzerland. The prize will be awarded on the 25th of May 2014.