South Korea’s textile processing company Dong Hwan Co. has developed mosquito and insect repellent fabrics for the first time in Korea. The company announced on Monday that it has patented its Bug Guard fabric in June after three years of research and development.

“Spray or lotion type bug repellents are available nowadays but they usually have strong scents and sometimes do not work,” said Cho Young-hwan, CEO of the company. “The Bug Guard fabric will solve all of the problems.”

The company uses a technology to encapsulate permethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide permitted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and World Health Organization, to manufacture the Bug Guard fabric. When the fabric is in use, the capsules release the permethrin to ward off insects and mosquitoes. Cho said the fabric also protects face from bug bites as the permethrin works in a range of 60 centimeters off the fabric.

Cho explained that because permethrin is insoluble, it works even in water and has been verified its long-lasting effectiveness through tests conducted at the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH).

“If the Bug Guard fabric is applied to military uniforms, it would save billions of won spent to supply bug sprays. Insect-fighting effect of the fabric should last for 22 months of military serving period,” Cho said. It can also be applied to sports clothes and outdoor gears such as tents or shoes, as well as many other applications.

Dong Hwan rakes in about 60 billion won ($54 million) in annual sales including sales of its affiliate YH Trading Co., 95 percent of which comes from exports. It supplies its processed fabrics and textiles to more than 20 global companies including Burberry, Marc Jacobs, Speedo, GAP and Uniqlo.

By Min Seok-gi

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business News Korea & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]