Carbon from coconuts used for fabric

Recycled coconut shells are the focus of a partnership between Americhem, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, a formulator of custom color and additives, and Cocona Inc., Longmont, Colo., manufacturer of nylon and polyester performance fabrics and yarns that incorporate natural sources. Americhem developed very fine activated carbon from recycled coconut shells, encapsulating it in a host polymer that allows it to be added to fiber without loss of the carbon’s ability to bond. The additive disperses evenly in polyester fibers as they are spun, giving the knitted fabric the ability to spread and evaporate moisture. More than 50 brands of outdoor and athletic apparel use Cocona® fibers, including Eddie Bauer, Izod, New Balance, Marmot and Patagonia. The fiber recharges itself after washing and drying, so the moisture-management properties don’t fade over time. For more information, visit www.coconafabrics.com.