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Continue ShoppingWhy Ionic Fabric with Acteev Technology?
We're so happy you found us! Why? Because we truly believe in the need for this technology and fabric. Thanks to the zinc ions embedded in the nylon, this fabric stops the growth of unwanted microbes, fungus, and odor-causing bacteria.
Whether you are interested in our ready-made and custom products, or fabric cuts for your own sewing projects, here is a little more information on this great technology.
How it works
The active zinc ions deactivate viruses by attacking the polar end groups and blocking the glycoprotein channels, breaking apart the protective virus wall and rendering viruses ineffective.
Bacteria need minerals such as manganese to survive. When bacteria make contact with the product, the active zinc ions block cellular pathways used to process that essential nutrient. Without it, the bacteria “starve” and do not grow.
Good for you. Good for the planet.
The safe, sustainable choice
The active ingredient in Acteev is zinc oxide, a mineral used in everything from baby skin cream to breakfast cereal. The U.S. FDA labels it as GRAS, or Generally Regarded as Safe.
Other products use silver as an antimicrobial, but that metal comes with unwanted environmental consequences. Silver is typically used as a finish or a coating applied using a water-intensive process, and the excess silver has to be disposed of, eventually ending up in our waterways. Unlike coatings and topical treatments made with the heavy metals silver or copper, the active zinc ions are embedded at the base level of the fabric, not added on in a water-intensive finish. That means it will not flake off or wash away into the environment.
Free from odor
Mildew- and odor-resistant
Say goodbye to stink for life. With patent-pending Acteev™ Technology, even the hardest-working apparel stays fresh. And Acteev Protect embedded antimicrobial technology protects against the growth of odor-causing bacteria, so you benefit from extended freshness for textiles that look and smell great.*
Lasting
Abrasion-resistant, soft, and durable
Tests show garments made with Acteev Protect stay protected through 50 washes. Plus, textiles made with nylon 6,6 are more durable, and don’t yellow. So products look great longer.
- Activewear
- Sporting wear
- Undergarments
- Masks
- Accessories
- Uniforms
- Home goods
- The list could go on...
With so many possibilities you can understand our enthusiasm.
Guards against the growth of unwanted
- odor-causing bacteria,
- fungi
- microbes
Lu Zhang Ph.D., Ascend’s Vice President leading the Acteev launch, and Vikram Gopal, Ph.D., Ascend’s senior vice president of technology were quoted in a June 15, 2020 Press Release:
“...The technology is a leap forward in protection for face masks, apparel, upholstery, air filters and more, said Lu Zhang, Ph.D., Ascend’s vice president leading the Acteev launch. “Bacteria, mildew and other microbes growing on fabrics and filters cause the item to break down, discolor and give off unpleasant smells,” she said. “Acteev Protect guards against that microbial growth, keeping the articles clean.”
The technology has been in development for several years, but with the recent shortage of articles resistant to microbial growth, Ascend accelerated the product launch by partnering with independent labs for testing and reallocating resources to scale up production. “The current global scarcity of microbe-resistant materials is not going to end unless manufacturers are able to obtain the right media,” Dr. Zhang said. “We saw a way we could quickly meet those urgent needs with this innovative technology…”
“…The embedded zinc in its ionic form is a powerful inhibitor of bacterial growth, said Vikram Gopal, Ph.D., Ascend’s senior vice president of technology. “Zinc is an essential element needed for bacterial growth, so bacteria readily allows it inside the cell body. But the zinc ion outcompetes other essential elements such as manganese and magnesium and chokes their ingestion channels,” he said. “Without those minerals, the microbes can’t grow or reproduce…”
You can read more about the science of Acteev and hear from their Medical Advisory Board here.