Koketa, a brand of premium womenswear based in Peru, has begun sampling leggings, undergarments and workout wear featuring Acteev Protect fabric. Produced by US manufacturer Ascend Performance Materials, Acteev incorporates the odour-fighting and mildew-destroying antimicrobial benefits of zinc ions embedded into the matrix of superior nylon yarns and fabrics.
“When it comes to what’s closest to your most vulnerable skin, being safe and sanitary is a top priority,†said Juan Daniel Del Carpio, commercial director for Koketa. “The Koketa woman wants beauty, comfort and protection, and a partnership with Acteev makes it easier than ever for us to deliver all three.â€
Koketa garments with Acteev feature Koketa’s signature innovative styles, including unique knit patterns, on-trend colours and flattering silhouettes. The Acteev fabric is buttery-soft and breathable yet long-lasting and resistant to pilling.
Additionally, clothing made with Acteev is resistant to unwanted odours, keeping garments as fresh after 100 washes as they are on day one. The active ingredient – labeled safe by the US Food and Drug Administration – targets the bacteria and microbes that can cause odour, mildew and discoloration.
“Zinc is nature’s safeguard,†said Juan Toro, global principal business development leader for Acteev in the Americas. “It is a mineral needed for human health, and we have harnessed its power to protect the garments in a natural, sustainable way.â€
Acteev technology embeds active zinc ions into the matrix of the polymer. Unlike topical finishes or coatings, the zinc ions don’t flake away, providing long lasting functionality. Acteev Protect fabrics, filtration media and engineered plastics deliver breakthrough protection for face masks, apparel, upholstery, air filters, high-touch surfaces and more. Microbes can cause products to deteriorate, discolour and smell bad. But Acteev Protect’s patent-pending technology offers a permanent solution that guards against the growth of unwanted odour-causing bacteria, fungi and microbes.
Ascend Performance Materials makes high-performance materials for everyday essentials and new technologies. The company’s 2,600-person global workforce makes the plastics, fabrics, fibres and chemicals used to make safer vehicles, cleaner energy, better medical devices, smarter appliances and longer-lasting apparel and consumer goods.