Provider of fabrics, finishes and composites for the footwear industry Starensier (Cosmo Ltd. HK) has extended its use of silver-based antimicrobial solutions provider Agion Technologies Inc.’s solutions to brands such as Columbia Sportswear, Crocs and Under Armour.

The company already uses the odour reduction technology in footwear and apparel products for companies including Timberland, Ecco, Clarks, The North Face and Adidas.

There is a growing market for anti-microbial solutions as customers become more aware of the link between odour and bacteria. Agion’s ionic silver products are based on naturally occurring solutions, rather than the synthetic chemicals often used in other brands, and are registered with key regulatory agencies around the world including the EPA, EFSA, and FDA.