Smart chemicalsfor greenertextiles

Non-toxic bleaching, dyeing and laser treatments for denim. Developed in Austria, approved under GOTS and listed in the ZDHC Gateway.

See our products[email protected]

Four pairs of jeans laid side by side, from light bleached blue to dark grey

About us

ACTICELL develops and sells surface-active chemicals for denim finishing. Our products replace potassium permanganate and other harmful agents in bleaching, and improve dye uptake and laser results, while delivering the looks that manufacturers and brands expect.

Our work is grounded in cellulose chemistry. In our research and development lab at Technopark Tulln, near Vienna, we develop procedures for the surface treatment of cellulosic fibres and adapt them to the processes of each client, from spraying and brushing to laser treatment, at anything from room temperature to 60 °C.

Our bleaching products are independently verified: approved under GOTS, screened in the ToxFMD Screened Chemistry® program and listed in the ZDHC Gateway. This lets mills and brands meet restricted substance requirements while using less water and energy than with conventional chemistry.

Since our product launch at the Denim and Jeans Show in Dhaka in 2015, denim manufacturers around the world have worked with ACTICELL. Mud Jeans, Sustainable Retailer of the Year 2020–2021, is produced with our sustainable bleaching products.

Video loads from YouTube when you press play.

Products

Fabric swatches in yellow, pink, blue, green and grey, each with an Acticell tag

Novel dyeing effects

A surface modification for textile fabrics. It lets the fabric take up more chemicals, such as dyestuff, which gives more pronounced effects and richer, more intense colours. At the same time manufacturers need less dyestuff and fewer auxiliaries.

Acticell DG
Applied to fabrics or garments as a pre-treatment to dyeing.
Denim fabric with a pattern of light and dark squares created by localized bleaching

Denim bleaching

Designed to achieve bleaching effects similar to potassium permanganate, without its toxicity. It also works for localized bleaching effects. The desired effect can be reached at any temperature, from room temperature to 60 °C.

Acticell B3
Applied to jeans to create worn-look effects. The bleaching effect appears during a heating process. For mild bleaching effects only.
  • GOTS
  • ToxFMD Screened Chemistry®
  • ZDHC Gateway
Acticell RT
Applied to denim garments for a strong, intense used look and for decolorizing denim fabrics. The bleaching effect appears during a heating process. For effects similar to potassium permanganate.
  • GOTS
  • ToxFMD Screened Chemistry®
  • ZDHC Gateway
Acticell LB3
Applied to denim garments before laser treatment. Bleaching occurs during lasering. For effects similar to potassium permanganate.
  • GOTS
  • ToxFMD Screened Chemistry®
  • ZDHC Gateway
Side-by-side comparison of lasered denim, untreated on the left and treated with Acticell LR3 on the right

Laser digitalizer

A laser digitalizer for fabrics and garments that creates a true HD look and enhances the laser ability of your fabric. Laundry efficient, time saving and environmentally friendly. It lowers the EIM score and minimizes damage to synthetics.

Acticell LR3
Applied to denim fabrics to achieve a natural laser HD look.

Impact

ACTICELL is committed to an active contribution towards climate protection and sustainability by keeping the environmental and social impact of its products to a minimum. We save water and energy and avoid any discharge of harmful chemicals and heavy metals. Protecting the health of everyone who handles our products is just as much a priority.

Lower energy and water consumption compared to traditional products also means real savings for our clients. Our products work across a wide range of applications, from brushing to spraying.

Replacing potassium permanganate

For a long time sandblasting was the standard technique for the popular worn look, until its risks to worker health led many retailers to ban sandblasted products. Its most common substitute, potassium permanganate, meets industrial safety laws but is still toxic for the people who handle it and falls under the highest water hazard class. ACTICELL bleaching products offer denim manufacturers a safe alternative.

Two people wringing water out of a pair of jeans

News and press

2020

  • NewsMud Jeans, produced with Acticell sustainable bleaching products, is awarded Sustainable Retailer of the Year 2020–2021. Congratulations!
  • EventDigital Long Night of Research 2020
  • AwardISC3 Start-up of the Month, August 2020

2019

2018

Show 2017, 2016, 2015

2015

  • EventProduct launch at the Denim and Jeans Show, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Contact

[email protected]

Please get in touch by email. We work in the Central European time zone.

Research and development lab
Technopark 1, Building C
3430 Tulln an der Donau, Austria
Legal address
ACTICELL GmbH
Borschkegasse 6/8
1090 Vienna, Austria