Intellatex uses negative ions for positive health

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 2/5/2007 1:25:00 PM

Greensboro, N.C. – Industry veteran Larry Queen has obtained the worldwide licensing rights for a process that infuses fabrics with a negative ion charge, thus thwarting a host of microscopic irritants and allergens.

The Intellatex treatment, developed in Germany, is three to six months away from FDA approval, Queen told HTT. Cotton Inc. conducted testing on the patent-pending product to confirm the finish is permanent. Eco-Tech is testing the product to verify its non-toxicity. The Environmental Protection Agency will examine Intellatex as well.

“I’m learning a lot about chemistry,” Queen said.

The Intellatex process was created by Stal, a company founded by Wolfgang Straw, who headed product development at Cotton Inc. for a quarter of a century; biochemist John Turner, a vet of Cotton Inc. and the former Burlington Industries; and Ellis Davis, who worked on nanotech development at Burlington.

Queen is currently doing “conditioned licensing” predicated on FDA approval of the process. His own AQ Textiles company holds the license for producing sheets and top of bed Intellatex products as well as flannels, jersey knits, and blankets. He’s looking to license the process to suppliers of pillows, mattress pads, mattress ticking, mattress, feather and down products, alternative fill products, and foam. So far the company has signed six conditional licensing agreements, Queen said.

Intellatex merchandise “will be competitive with existing price points,” he added. “I’m looking to bring a unique product to market that will sell.”