An article of footwear is provided that includes a sole structure and an upper attached to the sole structure. The upper includes an exterior layer and a base layer, and the exterior layer includes a biodegradable layer and a biologically active agent capable of biodegrading the biodegradable layer.

A ply fibrous product comprises at least one ply selected from a nonwoven ply and a tissue paper ply, wherein the at least one ply selected from a nonwoven ply and a tissue paper ply comprises cellulosic fibers comprising an organic polycarboxylic acid and wherein the organic polycarboxylic acid has at least one carboxyl group covalently bound to the cellulosic fibers and at least one free carboxyl group. Due to the presence of covalent chemical bonds between a carboxyl group of the polycarboxylic acid and hydroxy groups of the cellulosic fibers present in all substrates, the ply fibrous products display a long-lasting acidic pH even after having been rinsed with water. In some embodiments a long-lasting acidic pH may be achieved in the nonwovens treated with an organic polycarboxylic acid even after washing with a washing detergent.

A soil-resistant fiber fabric having excellent water/oil repellency and excellent soil dirt resistance is obtained by fixing colloidal silica to a fiber fabric, and by subsequently treating the fiber fabric with a water/oil repellent fluorine compound, thereby having the water/oil repellent fluorine compound adhere to a surface of the fiber fabric.

The application relates to a process for producing fibrous material with antimicrobial properties, wherein in the first step coniferous resin acid composition is emulsified into aqueous solution with emulsifier and wetting agent, and in the second step thus formed emulsion is transferred into fibrous material by impregnation. Further, the application relates to an aqueous antimicrobial composition for use as a water-soluble concentrate in the treatment of fibrous materials, and to a fibrous material with antimicrobial properties, and to its use in e.g. fabrics, fur, leather, clothes, canvas, tissues, plastics, webs, accessories, packaging materials, wallpapers, food-related products, household products, footwear, construction materials, insulating materials and medical products.

The application relates to a process for producing fibrous material with antimicrobial properties, wherein in the first step coniferous resin acid composition is emulsified into aqueous solution with emulsifier and wetting agent, and in the second step thus formed emulsion is transferred into fibrous material by impregnation. Further, the application relates to an aqueous antimicrobial composition for use as a water-soluble concentrate in the treatment of fibrous materials, and to a fibrous material with antimicrobial properties, and to its use in e.g. fabrics, fur, leather, clothes, canvas, tissues, plastics, webs, accessories, packaging materials, wallpapers, food-related products, household products, footwear, construction materials, insulating materials and medical products.

Articles and methods for treating textiles and other materials with an antimicrobial compound during laundry and/or drying cycles. The articles include a porous substrate and a core composition that is releasably associated with the substrate and that includes a metal ion having antimicrobial activity. Methods include the use of the articles in laundry and/or drying cycles to provide antimicrobial treatment of the textiles and materials.

Articles and methods for treating textiles and other materials with an antimicrobial compound during laundry and/or drying cycles. The articles include a porous substrate and a core composition that is releasably associated with the substrate and that includes a metal ion having antimicrobial activity. Methods include the use of the articles in laundry and/or drying cycles to provide antimicrobial treatment of the textiles and materials.

The present disclosure generally provides topically applicable insect repelling compositions, and in some embodiments, topically applicable insect repelling and UV protecting compositions. The compositions comprise a polymerization product of a polyol, a diisocyanate and at least one insect-repelling compound. The resulting polymers advantageously bond superficially to skin or hair, thereby localizing repellents and preventing systemic absorption. While not being bound by theory, it is believed that the localization of repellents to the surface of the skin renders them safer, wherein such repellents are not vaporized and do not have a disagreeable odor. The repellents advantageously interact with tactile insect activity, thereby preventing parasitic activity, such as drawing blood or the communication of pathogens.

Described herein is an antiviral face mask and methods of use thereof to inactivate a virus in contact with the face mask. The face mask may include a fibrous material with silicon nitride powder impregnated therein and a layer surrounding the fibrous material. In some embodiments, silicon nitride is present in the fibrous material at a concentration of about 30 wt. % to about 50 wt. %.

The present invention relates to a process for the production of a dyed biopolymer comprising the steps of providing at least one biopolymer-producing microorganism, providing at least one dye-producing microorganism, culturing said at least one biopolymer-producing microorganism to produce at least a biopolymer, and culturing said dye-producing microorganism wherein said dye-producing microorganism produce at least a dye suitable to dye at least part of said biopolymer, whereby a dyed biopolymer is obtained. The present invention also relates to a dyed biopolymer, to process for the production of a dyed composite article comprising at least the dyed biopolymer and to articles comprising the dyed biopolymer.