Milliken brand Polartec is launching Fresh Face, a natural, renewable and biodegradable odour reducer for fabric technologies.

Exploiting the properties of botanical mint oil, the plant-based deodoriser offers a sustainable alternative to traditional fabric fresheners, setting a new standard in odour control technology.  

 Introduced in Spring/Summer 2023 Polartec Delta fabrics – designed to cool the wearer through wicking and  moisture management – Fresh Face is derived from a naturally sourced and non-GMO mint oil plant extract harvested and distilled in the Willamette region of Oregon, utilising a simple and environmentally friendly steam extraction process.  

In order to validate the technology’s effectiveness, Polartec conducted thorough tests to compare Fresh Face with its previous silver-based odour control additive. Following initial wear tests, a comprehensive smell test was conducted to gauge the effectiveness of Fresh Face technology. The garments were then subjected to an exceptional 50 wash cycles, simulating accelerated ageing and wear. Finally, they were reintroduced into real-world conditions for an additional six weeks. The results confirmed the effectiveness of Fresh Face technology, with the same outstanding performance of the previously-used silver-based odour control method.  

“Fresh Face represents a significant breakthrough in our quest for sustainable textile solutions,” said Karen Beattie, director of product management at Polartec. “It is a natural, renewable odour reducer that not only outperforms our existing technologies but also aligns with our commitment to environmental responsibility.”

www.polartec.com