Material World is a weekly roundup of innovations and ideas within the materials sector, covering news from emerging biomaterials and alternative leathers to sustainable substitutes and future-proof fibers.
von Holzhausen
Von Holzhausen has dropped the Apple Vision Pro Carry Sling: a compact, hands-free “carrying solution” designed exclusively for Apple. The California-based material innovation company has created Apple-approved sustainable accessories since 2019.
Related Stories
The Carry Sling combines function with flair, a winning combination for the headset consumer demographic. In line with the vegan brand’s ethos, the case was crafted with Banbū, the label revolutionizing how we think about agrowaste flagship plant-based, bamboo-derived material. That said, it’s lightweight and features a padded, recycled microfiber interior.
“The Vision Pro Carry Sling is the perfect fusion of sustainability, innovation and functionality, offering Apple users a durable, lightweight and eco-friendly solution to carry their Vision Pro in style,” Vicki von Holzhausen, founder and CEO of von Holzhausen, said. “Our Banbū material is a sustainable alternative to traditional leathers and plastics, with superior protection. We’re proud to continue our work with Apple, bringing cutting-edge materials and design to the forefront of tech accessories.”
The Apple Vision Pro Carry Sling retails exclusively on Apple’s website in North America for $179.
FredSense
Biotechnology company FredSense Technologies has successfully used its Fred-PFAS, the industry’s allegedly first portable PFAS test kit. The kit was used at an airport to “optimize” the removal of PFAS-contaminated aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) from fire trucks.
“Since announcing the Fred-PFAS product last year, we’ve been working with partners such as TRS to test and validate PFAS data sets in various applications including AFFF contaminated samples. Our collaboration represents the culmination of efforts to validate the exceptional capabilities of Fred-PFAS,” said David Lloyd, FredSense co-founder and CEO. “This advanced technology provides robust, highly sensitive detection of multiple regulatory forms of PFAS, delivering lab-quality results in just hours—dramatically faster than the weeks required by traditional methods. Without a field-deployable PFAS screening-based solution like this, field consultants and operators lack the data necessary to make informed decisions, slowing processes and projects.”
Working with the environmental remediation group TRS Group (TRS), Fred-PFAS was brought on-site and reportedly revealed data that TRS could use to meet their contractual obligations. This “directly correlated” with traditional off-site lab sample analysis done in parallel while boosting project completion efficiency, minimizing backup fire truck rental costs and decreasing airport downtime.
“The Fred-PFAS system gives our operators another tool to use in the field, which leads to faster decision making and improved workflow,” said Greg Knight, TRS Group PerfluorAd operations manager. “The detection kit helps our team quickly determine if additional steps are necessary and avoids unnecessary work.”
For this project, TRS cleaned aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) vehicles and equipment using a specialized rinsing agent to remove the PFAS-laden AFFF. Before using Fred-PFAS on-site, TRS previously used third-party laboratories to validate its patented cleaning process. By incorporating Fred-PFAS, TRS could see same-day measurements of PFAS levels at the equipment outlet after each rinse—therefore immediately able to assess the effectiveness of rinse cycles and the PFAS levels in rinse water.
“Optimized AFFF changeout and ensuring pipes and trucks are PFAS-free is just one application for Fred-PFAS. However, its portable, scalable, and customizable nature also makes it ideal for same-day full remediation site characterization and instantaneous water treatment technology performance measurement and optimization,” Lloyd said. “Knowing the massive scale of the PFAS contamination problem and the urgency required to mitigate it, we’re focused on delivering the fastest PFAS sample analysis both in the lab and field.”
Celliant
California material sciences company Hologenix’s Celliant announced a new collaboration with Aldi Australia. Together, the companies launched a bedding line from Kirkton House, the grocery store’s branded home range, that uses infrared technology to boost rest and recovery.
This marks the first time Celliant is available in a grocery retail setting.
“Infrared technology can have a major impact on your well-being, and at Hologenix, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to be the healthiest version of themselves,” said Seth Casden, co-founder and CEO of Hologenix. “With the help and support of Aldi AU, more people will be able to reap the benefits of infrared technology and rest easy at night.”
Kirkton House has released the Celliant Recovery Pillow ($34.99) and the Celliant Recovery Mattress Protector ($69.99- $79.99) in Aldi locations across Australia. The Celliant technology captures and converts body heat into infrared energy while sleeping, reflecting it back to the body to help one wake up recharged. Plus, it helps the body regulate temperature.
Nikwax
At the Ispo Munich tradeshow earlier this month, Nikwax’s PFAS-free industrial solutions were highlighted with Outdoor Research, Mammut, and BlackYak all winning the ISPO Design Award for products incorporating the Seattle-based outdoor apparel brand’s technologies.
“We have been perfecting PFAS-free waterproofing solutions for over four decades,” said Brian Davidson, CEO of Nikwax. “We are very pleased to be able to apply that expertise to industrial solutions to help our partners make the transition away from PFAS in their manufacturing process.”
Outdoor Research’s Foray and Aspire 3L jackets won, which feature Nikwax’s Direct.Dry factory-applied DWR.
“Nikwax Direct.Dry enabled us to offer our customers a genuine alternative to conventional DWR treatments, providing them with a high-performing solution that aligns with the growing demand for environmentally responsible products,” said Alex Lauver, senior director of materials innovations and sustainability.
Nikwax’s Direct.Dry achieved 95-100 on the AATCC22 Spray Rating Test. That rating stays at 100 after five washes, 80 after 20 washes, and will return to 100 after being treated with Nikwax technical washes and waterproofers.
Mammut’s Eiger Nordwand Pro Down IN Hooded Parka, and BlackYak’s Watusi Hooded Expedition Down Jacket and Watusi G2 Expedition Suit won awards as well. The items feature Nikwax Hydrophobic Down (NHD), a PFAS-free waterproof down fill.
Mission Workshop
California brand Mission Workshop has dropped the Quattro, a 100 percent nylon jacket designed for extreme wet weather protection.
Built in a Los Angeles factory specializing in small production runs for various teams within the U.S. military, the Quattro’s shell is constructed with Brookwood Assault 3-layer fabric. This high-spec material is 100 percent made in the USA and is used “extensively” in Gen III ECWS military combat uniforms.
The Quattro features seam-sealed construction, an adjustable three-panel storm hood, laser-cut armpit ventilation, a fishtail back, waterproof zippers and a mid-length cut.
