Ion-mask sees off competition to win Brand New Award
The new ion-mask super-hydrophobic “plasma” treatment developed by British-based P2i Ltd has been named as this year’s winner of the functional Sportswear category in the 2008 ispo BrandNew Awards.
Originally developed to protect soldiers from chemical attack, ion-mask applies an ultra-thin protective layer over the entire surface of the item being treated by means of an ionised gas or “plasma”, which in the case of footwear, not only coats the external surfaces but also the inside, and between and around the individual fibres, without altering the appearance or the weight of the shoe, making it particularly effective on performance shoes containing synthetic materials.
The technology has recently been incorporated into the latest collection from outdoor and sports footwear brand Hi-Tec, which will also be on show at ispo in Munich, Germany, at the end of January (see www.footwearbiz.com January 17).
Commenting on the award P2i’s business development director Ian Robins said: “These are exciting times for us, not only winning this prestigious award but having just signed our first high street customer for the process. Ion-mask will hit the high street next summer on a lightweight, waterproof footwear range from Hi-Tec, with other high profile brands soon to follow. The process is already highly regarded in industrial applications such as laboratory disposables and filtration media but this is the first time the public will get to see what all the fuss is about!”
