Commercial and consumer brands are being forced to choose between environmental accountability and performance

In one year alone, the fashion industry creates 92 million tons of textile waste including pre-consumer waste, post-industrial waste, and end of life textile disposal. The rapid growth of performance textiles and the associated performance finishes has undoubtedly contributed to this problem. Although less harmful finishes and antimicrobials have been adopted, most are less durable, effective, and more expensive.

Water and stain repellent finishes are known to contain toxins such as PFOA’s and PFOS’, which bioaccumulate in the environment and cause harm to humans, aquatic life, animals, and the environment, In addition, the majority of existing antimicrobial chemistries utilize heavy metals such as silver and copper to fight odor and provide antimicrobial efficacy. When shed during production or laundering these heavy metals enter the ground water and can disrupt cell processes, damage ecosystems, destroy aquatic life, and persist through generations.

the solution

Clean technology. Unmatched performance.

OSM Shield has developed two new revolutionary products that have the potential to reshape the textile finishing space - V-Shield and ZERO.  

Given the dominance of heavy metal antimicrobials in the marketplace, and the associated environmental scrutiny, OSM Shield recognized the opportunity to deliver more environmentally responsible, cost-conscious, and efficacious antimicrobial solutions.

V-Shield is a breakthrough antimicrobial technology that fights bacteria using Hydrogen Peroxide, a natural antimicrobial proven to be highly effective in inhibiting the growth of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. V-Shield replicates the same natural defense mechanisms as the human body to protect itself against pathogens.

V-Shield’s unmatched anti-odor, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal capabilities not only result in fresher fabrics, but also less laundering cycles and water consumption.

V-Shield is also unique in its ability to naturally recharge. When exposed to hydrogen peroxide-based (OxiClean) cleaning solutions during laundering it is able to scavenge and store those components and ultimately extend its already unmatched durability. 

Hydrogen Peroxide is both naturally abundant and environmentally friendly. In fact, when hydrogen peroxide enters the environment, it breaks down into oxygen and water.

There is a movement away from heavy-metal based antimicrobials and V-Shield is the perfect solution to fill that void.

Zero is an industry changing proprietary platform of durable stain and water repellent chemistry, delivering all of the performance of the chemicals currently used today without any of the negative environmental impact.

*Above graphic shows prototype technology that is not yet available to the general market.

ZERO has the same clean chemistry characteristics as non-fluorinated alternatives with far superior performance including oil, stain and water-repellency. This way, consumers will no longer have to worry about spills, sweat stains, and color degradation ever again. 

*Above graphic shows prototype technology that is not yet available to the general market.

We’ve created an entirely new molecular structure that does not function on the toxic fluorocarbon sidechains that current chemical platforms have used for the last 40 plus years. ZERO is not based on perfluoroalkyl compounds known to be associated with toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulation. Zero provides all the performance consumers expect without the negative environmental impact. 

OSM Shield has experienced global success, as an environmentally focused innovator 

OSM Shield has a working portfolio of repellent, stain resistant, stain release, moisture management, and antimicrobial finishes currently commercially available in the marketplace. 

Zero and V-Shield are two of the company’s recent and most important innovations setting new environmental benchmarks in their respective repellent finish and antimicrobial verticals. 

V-Shield was launched in the first quarter of 2021 and is already seeing substantial success in the market. Zero will move to commercial trials with key brands mid-2022 and will be ready to launch with final regulatory approval late 2022. 

The company’s focus over the next 18 months is to grow the existing OSM Shield customer base with current technologies. We also plan to fuel an aggressive commercial launch of V-Shield with early emphasis on the Taiwanese suppliers and India’s home textiles manufacturing hubs. In parallel, OSM Shield will successfully complete the ZERO commercial trails, regulatory compliance, and intellectual property protection by the end of 2022. 

Company Highlights: 

• Established subsidiary in Wuxi China to serve Asian market

• Manufacturing and distributor partnerships in Italy, India and Taiwan

• Adopted by fashion for good as 1 of 14 global innovators in long-term climate change and sustainability

• Launched a proprietary antimicrobial technology to replace heavy-metal antimicrobial options dominating the market

• Opened our in-house innovation center located in Denver, Colorado

• Global footprint USA, UK, Europe, Africa, India, Bangladesh, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

• Innovation partnership with North Carolina State University’s Wilson College of Textiles