AGC Chemicals Americas and DRYFIBER Launch Industry’s First Non-Fluorinated Oil/Water Repellent for Technical Textiles
EXTON, Pa., March 3, 2025 – AGC Chemicals Americas, Inc. (AGCCA), in partnership with DRYFIBER, LLC, has announced the development and production launch of the industry’s first non-fluorinated oil and water repellent specifically designed for nonwoven fabrics and technical textiles.
The innovative repellent, based on polymer chemistry developed at Cornell University, forms a microscopically rough coating that creates a chemical barrier on the surface of textiles. This allows treated fabrics to repel oil-based stains and fluids, causing them to bead up for easy cleaning—delivering performance without the use of fluorinated chemicals.
AGCCA will handle the manufacturing, while both companies will jointly market the product to industries such as industrial textiles, upholstery, automotive interiors, medical textiles, and filtration systems. Commercial-scale production is planned for 2025, with market availability expected in 2026.
Key Benefits
- Non-fluorinated: Environmentally friendly alternative to traditional repellents
- Versatile application: Compatible with dipping and industrial spray-coating
- High-performance: Delivers durable oil and water resistance
- Sustainable: Aligned with industry’s push for greener, safer materials
Leadership Commentary
“Our partnership with DRYFIBER marks a significant milestone for AGC Chemicals Americas as we deliver sustainable innovations for the nonwovens and technical textiles market. This non-fluorinated repellent is a breakthrough in stain resistance technology, offering the high performance our customers expect—without fluorinated chemistries.”
— Tim Johnson, FibraLAST Business Manager, AGC Chemicals Americas
“Collaborating with AGCCA has been essential in bringing this patented technology to life. It addresses a major need for effective, non-fluorinated repellents and sets a new benchmark for sustainability and performance.”
— Jack Roe, Managing Director, DRYFIBER
“This partnership highlights how advanced science and a shared vision can drive meaningful innovation. The result is a unique, high-performing solution for a cleaner future.”
— Jay Sacci, Lead Chemist, FibraLAST, AGC Chemicals Americas
“At DRYFIBER, we’re proud to partner with AGCCA to introduce groundbreaking technologies that impact not just technical textiles, but also markets like fashion and apparel that increasingly demand sustainable, high-performance materials.”
— Greg Lucci, Founding Partner, DRYFIBER