Advancing Safer Chemistry Through Project DW(O)R‐X

We are delighted to announce our participation in Project DW(O)R-X, a pioneering collaboration within the apparel industry dedicated to benchmarking durable water- and oil-repellent (DW(O)R) products free from intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Launched by the non-profit organization Fashion for Good, the project leverages our performance testing expertise to accelerate sustainability and innovation.

The fashion industry relies on DW(O)R finishes to help materials stay dry, clean and durable over time. However, some formulations contain PFAS – substances that are shown to remain in the environment for extended periods are associated with adverse health effects when exposure exceeds established thresholds. With evolving regulations and growing consumer demand for safer, more environmentally responsible solutions, the challenge is ensuring that alternatives continue to deliver the performance required by the industry.

Currently, there is an absence of a unified approach to assessing DW(O)R performance, and existing testing protocols do not always reflect real-world use. This results in a lack of comparable data for making meaningful comparisons between emerging solutions, while also minimizing the risk of substituting one problematic substance with another.

In response to this, Project DW(O)R‐X brings together a host of industry stakeholders, including brands, manufacturers and technology providers, to assess ten DW(O)R solutions free from intentionally added PFAS, ranging from early-stage innovations to more established solutions, across key criteria including performance, environmental impact and cost.

Project DW(O)R-X: Our key objectives

We will benchmark the physical performance of fabrics treated with the ten DW(O)R solutions using a performance framework that incorporates multi-condition testing and custom stains relevant to sportswear and outerwear, including soil, sunscreen and sweat. Our expertise will help create a common reference point for the industry, which brands and mills can use to inform internal decision-making, while enabling chemical companies to substantiate performance claims with comparable data.

Providing this essential data will help build confidence in DW(O)R alternatives and establish updated benchmarks needed to identify leading solutions and understand performance gaps, thereby supporting ongoing research, development and scale-up efforts.

Together with our Project DW(O)R-X partners, we welcome this important initiative as a means of empowering the fashion industry in its shift away from intentionally added PFAS and look forward to sharing insights from the benchmarking work to support safer chemistry, environmental responsibility and consumer trust.

IMPACT NOW for sustainability

Participation in Project DW(O)R‐X reinforces our commitment to sustainability through measurable impact. With the IMPACT NOW for sustainability initiative, delivered across four pillars – climate, circularity, nature and environmental and social governance assurance – we help businesses address critical environmental challenges, including PFAS, while ensuring regulatory compliance, reducing risk and advancing the transition toward a climate‐neutral, nature‐positive and pollution‐free future.

For further information, please contact:

Keith Tsang
Connectivity & Products
Global Softlines Development Office
t: +852 2204 8354