Fluoro-alternative technology for durable water and oil repellency in textiles
Third-generation silicone-organic hybrid technology offers durable water and oil repellency through innovative fluoro-alternative chemistry, helping brands and mills address evolving application requirements.
Dow (NYSE: DOW) today announced the launch of DOWSIL™ IE-5619 DWOR Emulsion, a durable water and oil repellent (DWOR) agent featuring innovative fluoro-alternative chemistry for the global textile industry. This silicone-organic hybrid technology is designed to offer both water and oil repellency, helping textile chemical formulators, mills and brands address evolving regulatory, environmental and consumer expectations.
Meeting the Industry Need for Fluoro-Alternative DWOR Solutions
“For years, achieving meaningful oil repellency in textiles typically required fluorinated chemistries, which are now facing increasing restrictions,”
said Juan Carlos Medina, Ph.D., Global Strategic Marketing Director at Dow.
“DOWSIL™ IE-5619 helps close that gap with a silicone-based, fluoro-alternative solution that delivers durable water and oil repellency while preserving the softness, breathability and aesthetics consumers expect. It is designed to integrate into existing finishing processes, enabling customers to adopt a fluoro-alternative solution with confidence.”
Key Features and Benefits of DOWSIL™ IE-5619 DWOR Emulsion
DOWSIL™ IE-5619 is 30% solids concentrate designed for conventional textile finishing. It is effective across a range of fabrics including synthetic, natural, and blended fibers (performance must be confirmed for each fabric type and source).
Key benefits include:
- Dual repellency: Helps repel oil-based contaminants such as olive oil, cooking oils, motor oil and sebum, while also providing protection against common water-based stains such as wine, coffee and milk.
- Fluoro-alternative chemistry: Silicone-organic hybrid polymer technology developed to offer durable water and oil repellency for textile applications.
- Durable performance: Designed to maintain water and oil repellency after 20+ home laundering cycles (results depend on fabric and formulation).
- Comfort and aesthetics: Offers a soft hand feel, helps preserve breathability, and supports tape and logo adhesion without the need for additional surface treatments.
- Easy integration: Compatible with current manufacturing processes; typical use levels are 1–3% based on the weight of the fabric, with 1–3 minutes curing at 150°C minimum and can be optimized to customer-specific processes and performance targets.
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Availability and How to Engage
DOWSIL™ IE-5619 DWOR Emulsion is sold globally across the textile supply chain including textile chemical formulators, mills, and brands. Dow will work with customers to understand application needs and support product validation on specific fabrics and finishing lines.
To learn more about DOWSIL™ IE-5619 DWOR Emulsion or request a sample, contact your Dow representative or reach out through Dow Customer Support.
