Partnership continues a decade-long legacy, with Archroma retaining exclusive distribution, marketing and technical support responsibilities for ZELAN™ DWR products in the textile industry.
Archroma and Nicca Chemical have announced a new agreement to support the continued global growth of ZELAN™ non-fluorinated durable water repellents (DWRs) for textiles. Following Nicca’s acquisition of the ZELAN™ business from The Chemours Company in March 2026, Archroma will continue as the exclusive distributor of ZELAN™ DWR products and related Teflon EcoElite™ technology for the global textile industry.
Archroma to Continue Global Distribution and Technical Support
Pratteln, Switzerland, October 12, 2026: Archroma and Nicca Chemical are extending their collaboration to support the use of ZELAN™ durable water repellents across the global textile industry. The agreement builds on Archroma’s decade-long association with the brand and ensures continuity in distribution, marketing and technical support for textile manufacturers and brands.
Archroma’s involvement with ZELAN™ dates back to the 2015 launch of Teflon EcoElite™ with ZELAN™ R3 by Chemours and Huntsman Textile Effects. Archroma acquired Huntsman Textile Effects in 2023 and has continued to support the technology and its customers.
Under the new agreement, Archroma will remain the exclusive distributor of ZELAN™ DWR products and the related Teflon EcoElite™ technology for the textile industry worldwide. The company will also lead marketing initiatives and provide technical support to mills and brands, maintaining the existing customer support structure.
Additionally, textiles finished with ZELAN™ will qualify for Archroma’s upcoming HIGH IQ® lastingrepelᴾᴿᴼ assurance programme. The programme is intended to provide brands with a recognised consumer-facing mark highlighting durable water-repellent performance, durability and sustainability.
ZELAN™ R3 Offers PFAS-Free Water Repellency
ZELAN™ R3 is described as the industry’s first renewably sourced durable water repellent and remains a significant alternative to conventional perfluorochemical-based treatments. The technology is PFAS-free and contains 63% plant-based materials sourced from non-genetically modified organism (non-GMO) and non-food feedstock.
The treatment is designed to deliver water repellency and durability while maintaining fabric breathability across all fibre types. These characteristics are relevant to textile manufacturers and brands seeking alternatives to fluorinated water-repellent chemistries, particularly in outdoor and outerwear applications.
The technology also supports rain and stain protection and offers good processing runnability for uninterrupted textile production. ZELAN™ R3 is bluesign® certified and listed on the ZDHC Gateway with Conformance Level 3.1.
Companies Emphasise Continuity for Textile Customers
A Nicca spokesperson said the acquisition of the ZELAN™ business also brought responsibility for maintaining the trust that textile mills and brands have placed in the platform over more than a decade. The spokesperson noted that retaining Archroma as the exclusive distribution partner would allow customers to continue working with a familiar partner while accessing the same products and Teflon EcoElite™ support.
Roland Borufka, Product Manager, Finishing and Technical Textiles at Archroma, said PFAS-free durable water repellents have evolved from niche alternatives into an increasingly common expectation among major outdoor and outerwear brands. He added that Archroma’s role as Nicca’s exclusive textile industry distribution partner would support customers through the transition with continued product supply and technical assistance worldwide.
The agreement maintains the existing distribution and support framework for ZELAN™ technology as textile manufacturers and brands respond to growing demand for durable, PFAS-free water-repellent finishes.