70% of textiles produced today are of synthetic origin and release large quantities of microfibers into the environment. Every time a synthetic garment is washed, it releases tiny plastic microfibers into the water. Up to 500,000 tons of microfibers end up in the ocean every year.
FUZE improves by helping reduce microfiber pollutants.
When tested, FUZE treated fabrics showed between 25-66% reduction of microfiber pollutants, depending on the type of fabric.
Untreated
Weight (g)
-
Sample 1
Sample 2
Sample 3
Average
0 washes
2.87
2.91
2.97
2.92
5 washes
2.69
2.68
2.73
2.70
Microfiber loss
0.22 g
Treated
Weight (g)
-
Sample 1
Sample 2
Sample 3
Average
0 washes
2.88
2.91
2.92
2.90
5 washes
2.78
2.82
2.84
2.81
Microfiber loss
0.09 g
0.22 g microfiber loss reduced to 0.09 g = 59% reduction in microfibers
Functional mechanism
Stage 1
When apparel is washed for the first few times, it will unavoidably release some microfibers into the water system due to the extraneous fibers (fluff) on the surface.
Stage 2
After these initial fibers are washed away, there is a period where the fabric is more stable and releases less fibers.
Stage 3
However, the fibers are susceptible to chemical wasting and dissolution from peroxides and chlorine used in laundry detergents. Textiles with higher content of weak susceptible fibers such as Lycra, Spandex, and Elastane have a higher risk of dissolution. This is the stage that accounts for most of the microfibers released into the environments as pollutants.
FUZE creates a protective coating on the surface to help protect fibers and reduce this dissolution. Textiles washed at higher temperatures are at a greater risk as the heat increases the reaction with the chlorine in the detergent.
In this way, Fuze prevents a large amount of the microfiber pollution.
