High performance outdoor textiles are typically constructed from fabrics finished with durable water repellents (DWR). These finishes are applied to fabrics to provide protection against water, oil, soil and general dirt. DWR finishes add value to textile products and extend their lifetime by keeping them looking newer for longer. Durability and longevity are currently sought after attributes of textile products to keep them in use as long as possible preventing value being lost to landfill and incineration.

DWR technology historically has been achieved with textile finishes that contain a polymer comprising of long-chain perfluoroalkyl groups. Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are also known as ‘forever chemicals’, due to natures inability to break these chemicals down, leading to their persistence in the environment. The residual raw materials in water-proof finishes and the products themselves may degrade in the environment to form toxic long-chain PFAS. Although it is well known that PFAS are problematic as they have negative impacts on human health, they continue to be used in textiles.

This project proposes to develop new polymeric coatings based on tall oil (a byproduct of the paper and pulp industry), using high throughput polymerisation screening, combined with rigorous fabric testing to establish proof of concept.