Fiber Innovations: From Production to Application > Textile Processing & Application

Solving the silver issue: AGXX – Anti-odor and antimicrobial efficacy with a non-leaching catalytic effect

Saal C
Donnerstag, 11.09.2025, 09:20 - 09:40 Uhr

AGXX is an innovative catalyst that converts ambient oxygen and humidity into reactive oxygen species, which then eliminate microorganisms and neutralize odor molecules. When integrated into textiles, AGXX provides regulatory-compliant long-lasting protection against microorganisms and odors without releasing harmful metal ions, making it an innovative anti-odor and antimicrobial technology, ideal and future-proof for medical textiles, outdoor, sports, and work wear.

Sprecher
Martin Danz (Heraeus Precious Metals )
Heraeus has been working on the development and commercialization of the AGXX particles since 2020, an innovative anti-odor and antimicrobial technology. These particles can be incorporated into a broad variety of materials, including textiles, polymers, filters, paints and coatings. The mechanism of action of AGXX is based on a catalytic redox reaction converting humidity and oxygen into reactive oxygen species (ROS) that eliminate microorganisms and neutralize odor molecules. The AGXX technology demonstrates high efficacy against all kinds of microorganisms, - such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and algae - and odor molecules, including ammonia, isovaleric acid, and acetic acid. Its dual action on microorganisms and odors makes it ideal for medical textiles, where hygiene is crucial for patient safety, as well as outdoor, sports, and work wear that benefit from enhanced comfort through odor prevention. Unlike conventional silver technologies, AGXX is not based on metal ion leaching nor on the release of any further environmentally harmful substances. This results in a long-lasting effect, as the technology is not consumed over time. Its novel biocidal mechanism complies with the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR), ensuring present and future applicability. In close collaboration with different textile institutes and industry partners, a variety of textiles were successfully functionalized with AGXX. In cooperation with the Austrian fiber manufacturer IFG Asota, AGXX was successfully incorporated into carpet fibers in a development work achieving an excellent antimicrobial efficacy, which allows to keep carpets hygienic and odor-free in the long run. The excellent anti-odor and antimicrobial efficacy of the treated fibers is not diminished even after 100 washing cycles expressing the high mechanical and chemical persistence of AGXX.