Crypton-coated fabrics have revolutionized the contract furnishings industry by offering complete stain, moisture, mildew, bacteria, and odor protection. Figures on the manufacturer’s website indicate that over 90% of contract designers rely on Crypton-coated fabrics for commercial, healthcare, hospitality, retail, restaurant, and lobby interiors. Currently, over 80 million yards of the high-performance fabric are in use throughout the world in challenging environments like hospital patient rooms, as well as in popular destinations – including Buckingham Palace.

Initially marketed to the healthcare industry because of their antimicrobial properties, Crypton Super Fabrics are now used in a variety of textile applications and consumer products. One of the chief reasons is that even with the high tech coating, fabrics still retain a superb hand-feel and breathability. Another advantage is that Crypton fabrics are so easy to clean.

How the Process Works

Crypton FabricsSpecial processing is performed on each and every inch of Crypton Super Fabrics to give them the properties listed above. It involves coating the fabric in a special mix of materials developed and honed over a number of years by specialists in fields such as textile engineering and chemistry.

The process is done at the company’s manufacturing plant in Kings Mountain, N.C. To avoid the plastic-like feel, the fabric is repeatedly treated with a water-based solution containing a variety of ingredients. Mainly, these include antimicrobial and fluorochemical agents. The antimicrobials are disinfectants aimed at preventing the growth of, and killing, microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, mildew, mold, and algae. Fluorochemicals help increase the fabric’s water- and stain-resistance. Other ingredients in the fabric’s treatment may include:

  • thickeners to help ensure the fabric treatment is the proper consistency to effectively coat all the fibers
  • UV stabilizers to provide at least two years of guaranteed fade-resistance for Crypton’s outdoor line
  • flame retardants to help decrease flammability
  • resins to help strengthen the treatment’s molecular bonds
  • additional additives, such as dyes and pigments to add a splash of color

After allowing the wet treatment to fully penetrate the fabric, the fabric is dried and cured at high temperatures and can be printed with different patterns. A variety of different fabrics can undergo the Crypton process, such as cotton, linen, silk, wool, acrylic, rayon and polyester.

Once Crypton Super Fabrics — fully inspected and tested — leave the factory and head out into the world, a lot of messy situations are likely looming in their future. In restaurants, homes, hotels and hospitals, spills and stains happen all too frequently.

With Crypton’s many attributes, the fabrics were a natural fit with the new Forte™ Series chairs by Norix, which recently debuted in the contract furnishings sector. Norix offers Crypton upholstery fabric by CF Stinson in a cotton/polyester blend with an abrasion rating of 50,000 rubs. The pattern is a versatile nature-inspired design called On the Money, and is available in 8 colorways that coordinate with each one of the chair’s molded seat/back colors.  GreenGurad certified fabricsIn addition, the fabric is GreenGuard Indoor Air Quality Certified and GreenGuard Children & Schools Certified.

To learn about the unique disinfectants, deodorizers and stain removers Crypton developed to keep their fabrics sanitized and smelling sweet, as well as the Crypton’s recent “green” innovations, click here.

Please share this information with others who may be interested in performance fabrics or contract furnishings. You can also learn about materials and fabrics in the video below: