Textile Insight

OrthoLite Advances Insole Tech for Cold- Weather Protection OrthoLite has unveiled a new thermal insole technology called OrthoLite O-Therm, which the brand describes as setting "a new standard in cold-weather footwear protection." O-Therm is the first and only aerogel- infused, open-cell PU foam. This new technology creates a ther- mal barrier that blocks the cold and maintains footwear tempera- ture regulation. O-Therm offers all of the known benefits of open-cell PU-foam, while combining the lightest and most insulative cold barrier protection. Using an advanced aerogel, a high- performance insulating material, O-Therm delivers thermal insu- lation so feet stay warmer and more comfortable for longer in cold weather conditions. Explains Rob Falken, OrthoLite's VP Innovation, "Our advanced aerogel traps micro- pockets of air without the need for loft, and it won't lose its effectiveness when compressed under foot. OrthoLite's aerogel solution is nano-porous inside of a multi-porous structure, and that creates a supreme thermal barrier which blocks both cold and heat. In addition, O-Therm's advanced silica aerogel powder weighs in at only three times the weight of air." O-Therm advanced aerogel repels water and moves mois- ture away from the foot to provide a drier, more comfort- able shoe environment. OrthoLite worked with third- party thermal test laboratory, New York City-based Vartest Laboratories to quantify the thermal performance of O-Therm aerogel insoles under extreme cold conditions -78°C (-108°F). The third-party test results validate that O-Therm is a breathable thermal barrier that is 54% more effective on average in comparative testing to other thermal insoles when tested at -78°C (-108°F). l New Antimicrobial Tech Harnesses Power of Nordic Forest Finnish biotechnology com- pany NordShield has created natural-based antimicrobial technology that works against bacteria, fungi and viruses (including human coronavi- ruses). It is free of heavy metals and instead harnesses the ancient power of Nordic forest, according to the company. In its various forms, the technology can be applied to textiles and fibers as well as medical devices, plastics and even skin. "The power of nature is the power of NordShield. We want to eliminate the usage of non- sustainable, non-renewable and toxic ingredients in antimicro- bial protection. By offering a superior alternative to the exist- ing antimicrobial products, we are making a positive impact on the world and making the new normal as safe as possible. Our technology minimizes the chemi- cal load on the environment and is also cost-competitive," says NordShield's CEO Kristoffer Ekman. The recently launched NordShield BioLayr is a durable antibacterial solution for making consumer textiles antimicro- bial. The NordShield Brilliant technology can be applied to a variety of products, such as for sanitizing hands, feet, surfaces and even community face masks. Tests conducted in December Federal Appeals Court Finds in Favor of Cocona in Case Against TNF, Columbia. IN THE MARKET | COMPANY NEWS textileinsight.com 14 • Textile Insight ~ March/April 2021 N early four years after suing VF Corp.-owned The North Face and Columbia Sportswear for alleged infringement of its 2.5L waterproof breathable laminate technology, Boulder, CO-based Cocona Labs earlier this month saw a federal appeals court uphold its key patent claims as valid against both defendants. Cocona Labs sued both large outdoor apparel companies in 2017 after they each terminated their business relationships with Cocona and ceased purchasing mate- rial from authorized Cocona suppliers but continued to sell products that incorpo- rated the patented technology. "This is a great day not only for Cocona, but for all small, technology companies in the U.S. working to protect the unau- thorized use of their American-made technology from large firms sourcing products overseas where IP rights are nearly impossible to protect," commented Jeff Bowman, Cocona CEO. To clarify, what the court ruled on was that Cocona's patent was valid, not that it was infringed upon. Now that the ruling validates the patent, thus being capable of being infringed upon, Cocona can go back to proving the knowing, intentional, and willful infringement. l O-Therm is the first and only aerogel-infused open-cell PU foam. Cocona Prevails Cocona gets a win in lengthy legal battle.

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