Mitsui USA and PurThread Technologies, Inc. (“PurThread”) have entered into a distributorship agreement for Mitsui USA to bring PurThread’s patented permanent antimicrobial fibers and yarns to textiles and soft goods across Mitsui & Co.’s vast production and distribution networks in Japan.

Lisa Grimes is CEO of PurThread, a company that develops antimicrobial fibers and silver-embedded yarns for everything from exercise clothes to hospital linens. She said that the joint deal with Mitsui USA is extremely meaningful for her firm’s bottom line.

She said that they are one of the largest trading companies in Japan. They work across so many of the segments that PurThread has applicability for, whether it’s working to get PurThread yarn incorporated into worker uniforms or bed linens … they really are into functional fabrics across almost every spectrum of the industry.

Amidst growing global health concerns, consumers and businesses alike are seeking solutions to reduce their exposure to pathogens that can cause odor and potential illness.

Developed with manufacturers and product designers in mind, PurThread’s innovative fibers and yarns embed pure, natural silver salts to enhance its partners’ products with unsurpassed antimicrobial capability, durability, and freshness without any special handling requirements.

Mitsui’s commitment to the development and market introduction of state of the art technologies in functional textiles creates a strong foundation from which its collaboration with PurThread is built.

Grimes declined to comment on the size of the deal, or where it stacks up in terms of PurThread’s distribution agreements.

Yasunori Kondo, General Manager of Mitsui USA’s Lifestyle Business Department, said that they are delighted to be collaborating with PurThread on the development and marketing of products using their advanced antimicrobial technology in the Japanese market. With Mitsui’s extensive network in the high functional textile industry, they are confident their synergies will have a great impact.

PurThread embeds EPA-registered silver salts into yarns it creates, making them permanently antimicrobial. The technology also reduces odor-causing bacteria, mold, mildew and fungus for the life of the product, according to PurThread.

PurThread, which last raised $7.2 million institutional capital in 2013, is also working to apply its technology to flame retardant fabrics, Grimes says.

PurThread has seven employees and outsources its manufacturing. Last year, the company obtained an approval designation from Cotton Incorporated.

Mitsui USA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the most diversified and comprehensive trading, investment, and service enterprises in the world.