DuPont has introduced a new use for its Hybrid Membrane Technology (HMT) that will allow pillow and mattress covers to deliver unsurpassed protection from a range of harmful allergens without sacrificing personal comfort.
   
“For allergy sufferers, getting a full night of uninterrupted sleep can be a real challenge. Mattress and pillow protectors made with DuPont HMT will help allergy sufferers sleep better by providing an effective barrier that has been scientifically proven to seal off even the most microscopic allergens,” said vice president and general manager  of DuPont Advanced Fiber Systems Thomas G. Powell. “Vinyl and films provide a high level of protection, but these materials are noisy and trap body heat and moisture near the skin. Alternatively, materials such as cotton are more comfortable but do not provide an effective barrier against microscopic allergens. With DuPont HMT, consumers benefit from the optimal combination of protection and comfort.”
   
The first retailer to offer sleep products with DuPont HMT is firstStreet. “We pride ourselves on bringing innovative, breakthrough products to the market, and we feel that the new allergen barrier pillow and mattress covers made with DuPont HMT fit perfectly with our approach,” said Dave Modena, vice president of merchandising for the retailer. “There are a number of sleep products that provide barrier protection, but most of these suffer from a lack of comfort. We view sleep products with DuPont HMT as being a step ahead of the market, in that they deliver the same or better levels of barrier protection while providing the added benefit of a softer feel and improved comfort.”
   
DuPont HMT is incorporated onto commonly available fabrics during the manufacture of the pillow or mattress cover, resulting in a material that provides protection against dust mites, pet dander, pollen, mold and fungal spores; rivals the performance of films and vinyl but, unlike these products, has a comfortable and “breathable” fabric-like feel; delivers a higher level of protection compared to traditional materials such as cotton or polyester fabrics with 95% filtration efficiency of particles as small as one micron and demonstrates excellent durability and performance, even after repeated washings.

DuPont HMT was launched by DuPont two years ago after it acquired the technology from a Korean firm. It is currently being produced on a commercial line in Korea and key markets to date have included filtration and energy storage. In April, DuPont HMT received a IDEA Achievement Award at The International Engineered Fabrics Conference and Expo (IDEA ’07) recognizing innovation in the nonwoven roll goods area.