N9 World Technologies Private Limited (N9WTPL) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resil Chemicals, Bengaluru and is an innovative specialty materials’ company committed to offering unique patented next-generation technologies in the hygiene, comfort and wellness space. The company’s products offer differentiated value and cost-effective sustainable solutions to its customers and consumer brands. In this article, the senior management of the company shares information about the product portfolio as well as the operational strategy with its new vision and mission in place
The core business of N9 World Technologies is textile finishes that provide functional features to apparel that benefits end-users. The other segment of the company focuses on plastix, surfaces and coatings. From among its wide portfolio of products (refer box listing the products), one that stands out is N9 PURE SILVER, which is a revolutionary, non-leaching sustainable technology that neutralises odour-causing bacteria on contact, keeping the treated articles fresher for longer. It is an established and proven technology which is under use by several Indian and international fashion majors for many years.
“A pioneering product, N9 PURE SILVER is responsible for creating a market for antibacterial textile finishes in India,” informs Vikram Rao, Managing Director, N9 World Technologies. This technology has also been developed for paints and coatings applications used for wall coatings, furniture coatings, floor coatings, and others. It offers added protection and hygiene to the end-user. Meanwhile, the most recent update is that N9 World Technologies India has signed agreements with Consolidated Pathways Inc., USA and Sanitized AG, Switzerland to incorporate unique Swiss antiviral and antimicrobial technologies into sustainable and cost-effective custom blends for the textile industry.
With this partnership the company will be able to offer proven hygiene solutions to the textile industry. In fact, it will make N9 World Technologies a one-stop shop for global brands and retailers who are seeking innovative and sustainable specialty finishes for their textile products. A worldwide business development team is already in place for marketing and servicing customers with these proven technologies with global regulatory approvals. Such a partnership is also paving the path for new products, one of them being VIROBAN. According to the management, N9 XTS-18, which will be marketed under the brand name VIROBAN, is a custom blend of Sanitized® T20-19, a patented Swiss quaternary silane technology.
VIROBAN creates a highly-cationic charge density on the textile’s surface, deactivating the spread of the virus on contact. It acts quickly to prevent the transmission of enveloped and non-enveloped viruses including the SARS-CoV-2. Antiviral efficacy is tested and proven through ISO 18184: 2019 and modified ISO 18184: 2019. Antibacterial efficacy is tested according to AATCC 100. Antiviral protection is provided for up to 30x washes and antibacterial protection for up to 40x washes. Another unique feature about VIROBAN is that it can be applied by spraying on finished garments too. This way, even the garments which have been produced before the virus-triggered pandemic can be given antiviral properties, thus making them safe for the end-user.
While the company’s manufacturing facilities are based in and around Bengaluru, it sales offices and N9 World Technologies’ network extends across India and also other countries like the UK, Australia, China, Dubai, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Philippines, Turkey, etc. The group has three manufacturing facilities in Bengaluru with a total production capacity of around 30,000 metric tonnes per annum. It is certified for IMS (ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004, OHSAS 18001:2007) by Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA) and SA 8000 as well as recognised by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Government of India. The company’s facilities manufacture products that conform to global standards like GOTS and OEKOTEX® Standard 100 in its commitment to sustainable development.
N9 World Technologies’ technical team has about 33 members with several doctorate-holding scholars and IIT-educated scientists. In addition, the research and development application team has a size of about 13 members. The group also has a dedicated application research centre (ARC) staffed by experts in textile manufacturing, giving round-the-clock support. The features of the ARC are:
• Advanced research facilities for product and substrate evaluation.
• Simulation of every process in the manufacturing chain.
• Progressive work on the product’s appeal, function and longevity.
• Integration of chemistry and application research.
• Innovation opportunity for customers
Non-Textiles Division
As the market seeks a safer and hygienic technology that can keep healthier living spaces, N9 World Technologies has emerged as a reliable partner. Microbes double on surfaces every 10 seconds given the right temperature, moisture and food. The accumulation of microbes not only degrades the quality and hygiene of the surface but also leads to malodour, discoloration and staining. With this in mind, N9 World Technologies has developed and designed a new versatile range of antimicrobial products. N9’s unique silver particles neutralise the microbes on contact and offer a more hygienic surface which is safe. It reduces cross-contamination, thus ensuring that the surface will be safer to touch and sit on.
The N9 range of antimicrobial products find applications in automobiles where interiors like the steering wheel, gear knobs, handles and seat covers are all treated with N9. Further, N9 PLASTIX offers excellent antimicrobial protection in moulded parts. Similarly, N9 PLASTIX SYNHIDE can be used in PVC synthetic leather which can be used to make seat covers. Another important application area is sanitary ware where the toilet seat covers moulded with N9 PLASTIX offer excellent hygiene to the user. N9 PLASTIX AQUA is specifically designed for water tank applications and offers durable hygiene which is a must requirement in water tanks, making the water storage tank more hygienic.
N9 PURE SILVER TECHNOLOGY is a unique silver technology developed for paints and coatings applications which is used for wall coatings, furniture coatings, floor coatings and others, offering added protection and hygiene to the end-user.
New products
The company also has new products in the launch phase. As an environmentally conscious organisation, it has always looking at ways to improve sustainability. And as a part of this effort, the company has developed a new antibacterial textile finish called EARTH MINT. It is made from 100% natural peppermint oil and effectively neutralises odour-causing bacteria on the treated article’s surface. It will soon launch a special antiviral spray called VIRALGO specifically aimed at shoes. When VIRALGO is sprayed on shoes, it effectively neutralises the viruses and bacteria on the surface of the shoes and gives much needed protection to the user.
N9 World Technologies’ products and solutions
• VIROBAN is an antiviral and antibacterial textile finish based on a patented Swiss technology. It creates a highly cationic charge density on the textile’s surface, deactivating the spread of viruses and bacteria on contact.
• N9 PURE SILVER is a silver-based freshness technology that neutralises odour-causing bacteria on contact to keep textiles fresher for longer.
• EARTH MINT is a safe, sustainable and natural bacterial odour control solution for environmentally conscious consumers. It uses the power of natural peppermint to effectively neutralise odour-causing bacteria on contact and keep the treated articles fresher for longer.
• FRESHON is an antibacterial technology which neutralises the odour-causing bacteria that come in contact with the textile surface and keeps the users feeling fresh all day long.
• SILAIDE 100 uses the power of silver to control growth of bacteria and viruses that come in contact with the treated textile articles.
• MOISTEX absorbs sweat and spreads it across the fabric’s inner surface and helps maintain optimum skin moisture level by creating the right micro-climate.
• COOLIT is a moisture-activated cooling technology based on a novel polyol-hydrophilic polymer system that binds to fibres when it comes in contact with moisture or sweat and generates a cooling effect.
• KOOLPOLY is a moisture-activated cooling technology based on a novel polyol-hydrophilic polymer system that binds to fibres and generates a cooling effect when in contact with moisture or sweat, specifically designed for polyester and polyester-rich fabrics.
• SOLADEL UV SHIELD textile finish effectively filters harmful UVA and UVB rays from penetrating the garment and affecting the skin, providing round-the-clock protection from harmful UV rays.
• DRIDRY is an advanced moisture management finish, specially designed for synthetics and blends well with active wear, sportswear and performance wear to add the extra mileage to your efficiency, be it work or play.
• NEUDRI is a dynamic drying technology that rapidly wicks perspiration from the skin and transfers moisture to the fabric’s surface for evaporation, leaving the wearer comfortable and dry.
• PUREPEL is a fluorine-free water repellent technology which offers superior durable water-repellent properties and protection against water-based stains. Applicable to cellulosics, synthetics and blends, it maintains fabric breathability, making them comfortable to wear.
• N9 PLASTIX AQUA is specifically designed for water tank applications and offers durable hygiene which is a must requirement in water tanks. It helps make the water storage tank more hygienic.
• N9 PURE SILVER TECHNOLOGY is a unique silver technology developed for paints and coatings applications which is used for wall coatings, furniture coatings, floor coatings and others, offering added protection and hygiene to the end-user.
• N9 PLASTIX SYNHIDE can be used in PVC synthetic leather which can be used to make seat covers.
• N9 PLASTIX offers excellent antimicrobial protection in moulded parts.