As doctors record a significant increase in the number of skin cancers and call for better prevention, performance textile manufacturer Freudenberg offers a solution with its microfilament textile Evolon. Evolon has been granted Ultraviolet Protection Factor of 80, the highest value of the demanding “UV Standard 801”, for different variants of the fabric. UV Standard 801 is the only standard to verify to durability of UV protection in real-life heavy use conditions.

Providing sunscreening or dim-out effect, Evolon is ideally suitable for curtains, roller blinds, sunshades, as well as awnings, canopies and marquees specifically designed for sun protection. At the same time Evolon medium-weight versions can make outdoor, protective and sportswear garments with an exceptional UV protection factor even in the worst sun conditions. In addition, Evolon feels comfortable, light and highly breathable, yet strong and windproof.

In the case of clothing, the sun protection factor is impacted by the stretching of a fabric during wear, by moisture from perspiration or water and by normal wear. Furthermore the sun protection factor is also affected during and after care of the textile. This is the reason why under UV Standard 801, the UV protection factor (UPF) is calculated in real-life conditions. The clothing textile material is therefore laundered as part of the test and wet during measurement and stretched in a specified way.

Evolon, in its 100gsm variant, has passed all these tests resulting in a measured UPF of 80. For shading textiles, the stretching of the fabric, the weather (sun and rain) and humidity affect the sun protection factor. In this category, UV Standard 801 requires artificial weathering of the textiles, to simulate how they are affected by ageing while they are in use. In this category of products, the heavier 130 and 170gsm variants of Evolon have also shown the highest grade i.e. UPF 80.

Evolon is made of polyester and polyamide which provide “inbuilt” sun protection. What is more, unlike conventional woven or knitted fabrics, Evolon has a particularly tight construction with a multidirectional laying which avoids any gap between fibers. This high density microfilament structure allows Evolon to provide a durable sun protection, even after laundering. Evolon can be easily dyed or printed and is especially compatible with dark dyes which will reinforce UV Protection.