Nano-Tex: Performance fabrics for apparel, uniforms and home furnishings

WHO IS NANO-TEX?
Nano-Tex is a leading fabric innovation company providing nanotechnology-based textile enhancements to the apparel, home, and commercial/residential interiors markets.

HOW LONG HAS NANO-TEX BEEN IN EXISTENCE?
Nano-Tex was founded in 1998.

WHERE ARE THE NANO-TEX OFFICES?
Nano-Tex is headquartered in Oakland, Calif., with operations across the United States, Asia and Europe.

WHO OWNS NANO-TEX?
Nano-Tex is an independent company. WL Ross and Co. LLC is a major shareholder; our other investors include Masters Capital, Firelake Capital Management, Norwest Venture Partners and Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

CAN GARMENTS OR FABRICS BE PURCHASED DIRECTLY FROM NANO-TEX?
Nano-Tex does not sell fabrics or garments. Instead, we sell nanotechnology-based textile
enhancements to the Nano-Tex family of licensed mills. In turn, the licensed mills utilize
our chemistry to create fabrics with unique and novel properties.

WHO SHOULD I CONTACT ABOUT DOING BUSINESS WITH NANO-TEX?
Regional hubs strategically located worldwide provide local responsiveness, service, and product supply. Representatives from each location can be contacted directly by going to the “Global Locations” page of this web site and clicking on the link that best fits your geographic location. A Nano-Tex representative will be in touch to answer your questions.

WHAT LICENSED MILLS OFFER NANO-TEX ENHANCED FABRICS?
Nano-Tex currently has over 80 licensed mills worldwide offering a full range of fabric
substrates. To identify a licensed mill for your supply chain, please contact your local
Nano-Tex representative.

WHAT PRODUCTS DOES NANO-TEX MAKE?
Nano-Tex has a family of textile enhancements that become inherent to the fabric to
improve the comfort, appearance and durability of every day apparel, home textiles
and residential/commercial interiors. For a full listing of products, please refer to
the “Technology” section of our website.

WHAT TYPES OF PRODUCTS UTILIZE NANO-TEX FABRICS?
Nano-Tex is currently utilized in a wide range of apparel products ranging from men’s,
women’s and children’s trousers, active wear, uniforms, shirting and business attire.
Nano-Tex is also featured in a range of home textiles such as mattress pads, duvet covers,
blankets, sheets and pillows. Our technology is also used extensively in the residential
and commercial interiors industry ranging from mattress fabrics to upholstery, cubical
panels, drapery and wall coverings.

WHERE CAN I FIND NANO-TEX PRODUCTS AT RETAIL?
Nano-Tex enhanced products can be found at many well-known quality retail locations
worldwide.

WHAT IS NANOTECHNOLOGY?
Nanotechnology is the technical process of working on the nano-scale – each nano-scale molecule is one million times smaller than a grain of sand. Nanotechnology refers to not only the small size of the materials being used, but also how those materials are engineered to perform specific functions.

Traditional coatings make garments feel stiff and clog the weave of the fabric preventing breathability. Using nanotechnology, our treatments are small enough to attach to individual fibers, delivering superior performance characteristics without compromising the look, feel or comfort of the fabric.

HOW LONG WILL THE ENHANCEMENT LAST?
Nano-Tex products are engineered to provide exceptional durability and will perform for the expected life of the fabric or garment.

IS THE NANO-TEX ENHANCEMENT A COATING, TOPICAL OR SPRAY ON TREATMENT?
No. Instead of overwhelming the fabric with a heavy coating, Nano-Tex products are enhanced through the use of nanotechnology – tiny molecules that permanently attach to fibers without clogging the fabric weave – to add superior performance characteristics without compromising the look, feel or comfort of the fabric.

WHAT ARE THE RECOMMENDED CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS FOR GARMENTS MADE WITH NANO-TEX FABRICS?
Wash the garment as you would any other garment, following the care instructions provided on the manufacturer’s care label. Tumble-drying with heat is required. For optimal performance, steam ironing will enhance performance. Liquid softeners are not recommended. If a fabric softener is desired, dryer sheets are recommended over liquid softeners that are added to the wash process.

Dry cleaning is not recommended for Nano-Tex fabrics. The chemicals found in typical dry cleaning solutions contaminate the fabric and can negatively affect performance and mask the technology.

WHY MIGHT GARMENTS NOT PERFORM TO EXPECTATION?
Fabric softeners, dryer sheets and/or dry cleaning can temporarily mask the enhancement. To rejuvenate performance an additional rinse cycle may be needed and, in the case of the Resists Spills product, steam ironing helps further to invigorate performance.

WHAT MAKES NANO-TEX PRODUCTS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER FABRIC ENHANCEMENTS?
Traditional companies use chemical coatings to give textiles performance characteristics. Instead of overwhelming the fabric with a heavy coating, Nano-Tex products are enhanced through the use of nanotechnology – tiny molecules that permanently attach to fibers without clogging the fabric weave – to add superior performance characteristics without compromising the look, feel or comfort of the fabric.

DOES THE MANUFACTURING OF NANO-TEX ENHANCEMENTS FIT INTO MOST NORMAL MANUFACTURING PROCESSES?
Yes. Nano-Tex enhancements were consciously engineered to run on industry-standard fabric and garment production equipment, with minimal modification or capital investment required by licensees.

HOW IS THE NANO-TEX ENHANCEMENT APPLIED?
Nano-Tex enhancements can be pad applied in fabric form or can be dipped or spray applied in garment form. This process is followed by a normal curing procedure.

CAN YOU PRINT ON TOP OF ENHANCEMENT?
Yes. Nano-Tex enhancements are compatible with heat transfer and screen-printing. Other types of fabric printing would need to be evaluated to determine success.

WHAT ARE THE NANO-TEX SPECS?
Nano-Tex specs vary depending upon end use and substrate. For more specific information, go to the “Global Locations” page on this web site to locate a Nano-Tex representative in your geographic location.

Are Nano-Tex products PFOA free?
Nano-Tex took a leadership position in 2006 by being one of the first companies to introduce a C6-based "PFOA free" repellency solution (Resists Spills) to the market. PFOA-free denotes that there is no detection of PFOA using the most sensitive testing equipment available. This was quickly followed in 2007 with the introduction of our C6-based "PFOA-free" dual action product (Resists Spills and Releases Stains). In 2010 we took this even further by introducing our completely fluorocarbon-free Aquapel liquid repellency which is also completely PFOA-free.