Tidal Vision, a US-based producer of chitosan solutions, has announced a new cooperation with Leigh Fibers, a US-based manufacturer of engineered fiber solutions, as well as the establishment of a new manufacturing site in Wellford, US. These advancements are aimed at transforming the textile industry's access to sustainable bio-based therapies that will eventually replace hazardous treatments.

According to a joint statement released by the two firms, their cooperation would benefit the textile sector and the environment. In Wellford, Tidal Vision has opened a new 24,000-square-foot facility within Leigh Fiber's 1,000,000-square-foot headquarters.

The facility provides environmentally friendly Tidal-Tex chitosan solutions that are less expensive than synthetic chemical textile treatments. To further their objective of creating systemic environmental impact, Tidal Vision's approach is to deliver these bio-based solutions at a lower price.

Tidal-Tex is a range of water-based textile treatment products developed by Tidal Vision and created using chitosan, a non-toxic and biodegradable biopolymer. Tidal Vision sources chitosan from crab and shrimp shells, extracts, and processes it. Tidal-Tex may be applied to textiles in a variety of ways, including dipping, spraying, or coating, with curing as simple as drying or removing the water, leaving behind the required performance benefits.

Tidal Vision creates several Tidal-Tex formulations to give fabrics biostatic, fire retardant, or anti-odor characteristics. Tidal Vision's unique crosslinking technology is used in the Tidal-Tex product range to provide exceptional washing durability. Fibers, yarn, woven, and nonwoven textiles are all treated using bio-based treatments.

Eric Westgate, SVP of Leigh Fibers, said that partnering with Tidal Vision is a win-win for their company, their customers, and the environment. Their Tidal-Tex product line provides the essential features that their clients seek in textiles at a cheaper cost, and it is manufactured in the United States from sustainable resources. They’re devoted to promoting sustainable innovation and reusing textiles for a better future at Leigh Fibers.

Tidal Vision's head of textile business development, Kari Ingalls, said they can supply their Tidal-Tex product line to textile producers for less than half the price of various heavy metal antimicrobials, such as silver and copper, thanks to their patented reduced-cost chitosan technology and decreased freight costs from their new plant. This is the first time fiber, yarn, and textile producers have had an ecologically responsible choice at a cheaper cost with comparable or better performance.