Coats introduces the worlds first anti microbial sewing thread – Coats Protect
- 09 Jan 2013
World leading industrial thread and consumer textile crafts business Coats plc has launched a new range of anti-microbial sewing threads that inhibits the growth of microbes and bacteria around seams.
The treated sewing threads, which have anti-bacterial, are a world first and will be marketed under the name ‘Coats Protect’. The innovative treatment was developed in Coats’ North American laboratories and delivers maximum protection from microbes when applied to Coats’ high quality thread products.
Coats has a long history of pioneering landmark innovation. Many of its product developments in threads, zips and colour technology, as well as manufacturing processes, have become global industry standards.
Frazer Smith, Chief Commercial Officer, Coats plc, said: ‘A key element of our growth strategy is to continue developing innovative new products and services that meet our customers’ ever changing needs. We are excited about the launch of Coats Protect: another example of our strong research and development programme.’
The anti-microbial treatment creates a “zone of inhibition” that helps prevent the growth of odour and stain causing bacteria and pathogens around the seam. The treatment is available around the world for Coats’ thread and will provide peace of mind and enhanced product quality for our customers and consumers.
Anti-microbial thread can be used in a wide range of sewing applications and benefits include helping: keep products sterile; prevent product deterioration; fight mould and mildew and provide stain resistance. Many products, such as athletic footwear, hospital furnishings, operating theatre beds, muscle supports, hospital gowns, military tactical vests, helmets and outdoor goods need continued protection from odour causing bacteria, making them ideal applications for Coats Protect.
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Kristina Blissett, Communications Manager, kristina.blissett@coats.com
T +44 208 210 5084, M +44 7714 539 887
Notes to Editors
- Coats Protect sewing threads can be made available in any substrate, thread size or colour without affecting sewing performance or chemical properties
- Colour fastness properties are in line with Coats high levels for existing bonded and soft sewing threads
- Coats Protect threads meet a number of recognised anti-bacteria tests including: AATCC TM90 and ASTM M90 (microbiology activity)
- Some medical gowns and sportswear applications may not be suitable for anti-microbial thread if they are laundered regularly. Coats Protect threads are effective for at least 100 industrial laundry cycles or the life time of a garment
About Coats
With a rich heritage dating back to the 1750s, Coats is the world's leading industrial thread and consumer textile crafts business, at home in more than 70 countries, employing 20,000 people across six continents. Revenues in 2011 were US$1.7bn.
Our well-known brands and strong relationships with customers and consumers mean our products and services meet current and future needs. Our company-wide understanding of our business partners and consumers, coupled with the deep expertise of our people, builds trust and certainty.
Coats’ pioneering history and innovative culture ensure the company continues leading the way around the world: providing complementary and value added products and services to the apparel and footwear industries; extending the crafts offer into new markets and online; and applying innovative techniques to develop products in new areas such as tracer threads, aramids and fibre optics.
- One in five garments on the planet is held together using Coats’ thread
- 75 million car airbags are made using Coats’ thread every year
- Coats produces enough yarn to knit 65 million scarves a year
- In three and a half hours, Coats makes enough thread to go the moon and back
- 300 million pairs of shoes are made every year using Coats’ thread
- One million teabags using Coats’ thread are brewed every 10 minutes
- Thousands of surgical operations take place every day using Coats’ thread
- Thomas Edison used Coats’ thread in 1879 to invent the light bulb
- Coats produces enough thread to reach around the Equator every 11 minutes
To find out more about Coats visit www.coats.com
For this release, more Coats news and media images click here