Soft to the Touch

A new bath towel should feel fluffy and soft. TEGOPREN^® and REWOQUAT^® softeners create a good skin feeling. The additives are added to the fabrics and yarns during the production process. "We have both organic and silicone chemistry-based products in our portfolio," says Frank Koenig, Group Leader Process & Performance Specialties.

Less moisture

The advantage of modern softeners is that they not only improve the feeling of bath towels, bed linen, or sports clothing but also enhance their ability to absorb moisture. With hydrophilic softeners new bath towels are able to absorb water as soon as you have bought them; and on top of that, they remain fluffy and soft. Just imagine, your new sports shirt absorbs sweat and doesn't have that annoying rubbing feeling that can happens when you move.

Improved processes

It's not only consumers who appreciate the softeners, the industry is also impressed. The additives from Evonik ensure that yarns and finished woven products keep their quality during the mechanical stresses of the production process. "Our softeners are used, for example, to reduce friction," explains Frank Koenig. "On some systems, sewing thread passes through the machines at speeds of more than 100km/h (60 mph), which can produce temperatures in excess of 180°C (350°F)." These high temperatures can damage the material or have an adverse effect on the color quality. Thanks to the additives from Evonik, the friction of textile products is lowered and the quality of the end product is improved.