India-based Ag Flex Technologies has researched and commercially launched Flexsil which is a microbial protection for textiles.

However, according to a senior official of Ag Flex Technologies, their technology is different as they metalize the base substrate which can be then woven, knit, carded and spun into any construction.

He adds, “Flexsil is highly conductive and goes way beyond anti-bacterial and is truly a platform technology, while other silver based treatments can never be conductive and can be used as basic anti-bacterial application for limited use.”

Flexsil has been developed, perfected and commercialised by two brothers – Subramanya Prasad and Satish Chandra, Directors of Ag Flex Technologies. Flexsil now offers not just the raw material, but also functional apparel.

The company is currently developing range of products that covers from life saving body armour fabrics to wound care dressings to ESD / EMI (Electro Static Discharge / Electro Magnetic Interface) and lifestyle products.

Explaining the technology to fibre2fashion, the brothers say, “Flexsil is not a treatment technology. The metallisation technology entails permanent chemical bonding between the substrate (nylon 66) with silver. The various atoms of nylon get bonded with silver via a process called coordination bonding.

“The metalized nylon can be in form of filament yarn, staple, chopped fiber, fabrics or foam. The silver on the surface of the substrate is of highest purity (99.99%+). The action of this technology is very unique as under normal conditions it is dormant.

“When silver metal on substrate comes in contact with bacteria/fungi, positive ions of silver are released. The ions first lyses the cell wall, then goes after the respiratory segment of bacteria and finally binds with DNA thereby completely killing the pathogenic bacteria.

“As binding with DNA occurs, there is virtually no chance of resistance being built up against silver by bacteria as it works on an intra-cellular level, disrupting the DNA of micro-organisms on the fabric and effectively suffocating microbial activity.”

Flexsil also controls odor by adsorbing and deactivating odor causing agents such as dead bacteria, dead skin of humans, offensive decomposition of organic materials, etc.

It also helps in moving of heat from one direction to other of wearer keeping them comfortable based on weather conditions and moisture movement. It also controls static generation based on application and is an excellent product in radiation control and is used extensively for interference shielding applications as well.

When asked as to how different Flexsil is from silver-based anti-bacterial treatments available in the market, they explain, “Most of the other processes incorporate some kind of silver into a polymer. Finished goods are then dipped into this liquid media to get the effect. This kind of technology is not permanent as the same will start washing off from the first laundry itself.

“Our technology is different as we metalize the base substrate which can be then woven, knit, carded and spun into any construction. So the products need no special treatment/dip to be used. Our products can be highly conductive; other silver based treatments can never be conductive. Their technology can be used as basic anti-bacterial application for limited use. Flexsil goes way beyond anti-bacterial and is truly a platform technology.”

Flexsil is offered as both raw material and finished goods. As raw materials, Ag Flex offers filament yarn, staple, spun yarn, twisted yarn, chopped fibre, fabrics and foam and in finished goods, it has socks, base layer, shirts, shorts, EMI shielding briefs for pregnant ladies, radiation protection camisoles, home goods products such as sheets, mattress ticking and wound care products.

Ag Flex also offers a new technology ‘Flexsil-D2’ which is 100% dyeable and has the attributes of anti bacterial and anti-odor unlike its core technology Flexsil which is non dyeable. When blended with other fibers like cotton, polyester, viscose etc, Flexsil-D2 provides a melange effect.

Ag Flex has also recently forayed in to smart wearable textiles for monitoring heart function, pulmonary functions and military applications.

“Using Flexsil fibers that conduct electricity, opens up all sorts of new frontiers in ‘Smart Textiles”. For instance, ‘Smart Uniforms’ with applications in military textiles come with embroidered circuits that can be connected to sensors capable of having satellite receivers and can pin-point a soldier on a battle front, thereby help in rescue missions and also monitor vital systems for emergency medical care”, they explain.

Ag Flex is also involved in designing combat fatigues with pathways of conductive fibers to deliver power to the increasing amount of equipments which soldiers now wear for combat. The idea is to do away with the empowering weight of battle dress being swathed in cables and batteries.

Ag Flex also offers ‘Smart Shirts’ having embroidered antennae using Flexsil multi filament silver yarns. The embroidered antennae can be used by devices worn by the user to transmit and receive radio signals or to boost the device’s own transmission range.

The company is also developing concealed ‘Smart Radio-Frequency Identification (SRFID) tags that could eventually be used by high-end and premium brands to avoid shop lifting which is highly prevalent globally.