Trident Debuts U-func Towels

By Jennifer Marks -- Home Textiles Today, 1/26/2009 12:00:00 AM

Frankfurt, Germany —

Major towel manufacturer Trident/Abhishek Industries is finalizing a deal that will make it the exclusive worldwide manufacturer of towels employing U-func silver yarn. The product made its debut here last week at the Heimtextil international home textiles trade fair.

Only Japan, home of U-func manufacturer Itochu Corporation, will be excluded from the Trident agreement.

U-func is a registered trademark for the specialty yarn, which is produced in part by putting silver between two layers of polyester film, then cutting it thin and perpendicularly.

"It's not Lurex. This is 100% silver yarn," PK Markandy, Trident managing director, told HTT.

The yarn makes up 3% of the towel content and is undetectable to the eye. When wet, the towel releases ions that kill any bacteria on the towel. Woven into the weft of the towel, the silver yarn's properties are good for more than 200 washings, Markandy added.

"This can be especially important for hospitality, hospitals and consumers — especially in areas where humidity is high," he said.

The towel can be produced in a variety of weights, Markandy said.

Also at the show, New Delhi-based Trident previewed a new quick-dry towel made of cotton and hemp that will be introduced at the New York Home Fashions market in March.

"This is the most thirsty towel we have made in 10 years," said Markandy.

In India, Trident is completing its December/January rollout of new equipment that will take capacity to 12 million pieces per month. An additional 42 looms will be added by April, which will boost capacity to 13.5 million pieces per month.