GreenShield

GreenShield is an eco-friendly water and oil repellent, stain resistant, antimicrobial and
antibacterial resistant and flame retardant fabric finish. Inspired by biomimicry and the
‘microroughness' principle, it works on a molecular level to create a pocket of air between the
fabric and water and/or oil, creating a natural repellent. High Performance GreenShield, Low
Temperature GreenShield, and GreenShield FR make up GreenShield's product lineup. All
products decrease fluorocarbons by 8-10 times, are completely water based formulated, safe
and environmentally friendly, permanent with excellent wash-durability, and improve hand and
feel. Despite the benefits of GreenShield products, the nanotechnology used in production is still
very new technology with unknown long term risks of nano-materials such as toxicities, potential
for emissions and human exposure, and environmental and ecological impacts. As a result
manufacturers count green principles: using benign materials, using energy efficiently, and
generating less waste as highly important.

In 2009, BigSky Technologies acquired the assets of G3i Technology Innovations LLC, the
manufacturer of GreenShield. BigSky Technologies LLC is a materials science company that
manufactures a range of environmentally safe textile finishes, reducing or eliminating the use of
harmful chemicals. BigSky continues to manufacture all current GreenShield products and has
begun to develop improved formulations while extending the current product line to new
markets.

http://www.greenshieldfinish.com/index.html

http://www.entrepreneur.com/tradejournals/article/204609019.html

http://www.textileworld.com/Articles/2009/June/BigSky_Technologies_Acquires_G3i_Gr
eenshield_Line.html

BIGSKY ACQUIRES G3I TECHNOLOGY TO GROW

GREENSIELD LINE.
Industrial Environment  -  August 1, 2009

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BigSky Technologies LLC has acquired the assets to G3i Technology Innovations LLC,
manufacturer of GreenShield. BigSky intends to seamlessly continue manufacturing all of the
current GreenShield products while developing improved formulations and extending the
product line to additional markets.

GreenShield is an environmentally friendly fabric finish that provides water and stain repellency.
Using patented nanotechnology the finish permanently adheres to surfaces for long-lasting,
effective, and safe use. GreenShield uses no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and is Indoor
Advantage Gold certified by SCS, a mark of sustainability by Scientific Certification Systems.
GreenShield has been assessed by MBDC (Materials Benchmarking Assessment) from a cradle-
to-cradle perspective. Silver certification is uniquely possible for fabrics finished with
GreenShield. The cradle-to-cradle certification focuses on natural processes while minimizing
waste.

"GreenShield already possesses the most environmentally friendly technology in the market,"
said Brian Rosenstein, director of operations for TSG Incorporated, the commission finisher of
GreenShield products. "The acquisition by BigSky will allow GreenShield to advance and
further expand our Balance(TM) program," a program of planet friendly fabric finishing.

BigSky brings to the product line a management team of engineers, scientists, and business
professionals with 150 combined years of R&D, commercialization, and sales experience. With
leadership experience in large and small businesses, the team expects to accelerate product
development to meet customer needs. "TSG is very excited about the opportunities this will
present for us and our industry," Rosenstein said.

About BigSky Technologies LLC

BigSky Technologies LLC is a materials science company that manufactures textile finishes
inspired by Nature. The company develops cost-effective solutions for the coatings and fabrics
industries using sustainable manufacturing processes, reducing or eliminating the use of harmful
chemicals. BigSky Technologies LLC produces GreenShield, an environmentally friendly water
and stain-repellent fabric finish.
 Now you can be one of the many people enjoying advanced nanotechnology to protect your valuable fabrics – while

reducing your impact on the environment and human health.

Old stain resistant technologies encase fabric in thick layers of polymer-based chemicals to provide protection.

GreenShield is a nano-particle-based innovation from BigSky Technologies that reduces the health and

environmental impact of stain resistant finishes by dramatically lowering the amount of fluorochemicals and selecting

components that have a clear and established safety record.

GreenShield is the only finish certified by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) as

a Low Fluorocarbon treatment product (certificate).

GreenShield® is New Technology

Microscopic roughness is the technology behind GreenShield which leverages the enormous surface area of each

nanoparticle enabling the particles to efficiently deliver the appropriate chemistry to the fabric. Through the use of

nano-particles on the surface of a fabric GreenShield creates a pocket of air allowing water and oil droplets to roll –

carrying dirt and stains off the fabric for a self cleaning effect.

By selecting GreenShield® as your textile finish of choice you can:

 Choose the greenest and safest multifunctional finish on the market today.

 Choose to reduce the use of harmful chemicals by eight times or more and improve fabric recyclability and

sustainability.
 Choose a unique and permanent fabric finish based on nano-particles.

 Choose to make a real difference for the environment and human health.

GreenShield® is All in One

GreenShield is a multi-functional technology providing water and oil repellency and stain resistance in a single finish

with greater efficiency than each function delivered separately.

making a difference
One person can make a difference. By choosing GreenShield you are making a difference by reducing the amount of

harmful chemicals impacting the environment and human health.

Making a difference is not always easy, but it’s the small choices, over time,that add up to big changes that we

cannot often foresee. There are many ways to improve the environment – one way is to make the right choices.

GreenShield is the right choice to make.

About BigSky
Technologies LLC

BigSky Technolologies LLC is a materials science company that manufactures textile finishes inspired by Nature. The

company develops cost-effective solutions for the coatings, fabrics, and composites industries using sustainable

manufacturing processes and reducing or eliminating use of harmful chemicals. BigSky Technologies LLC produces

GreenShield®, an environmentally friendly stain-resistant fabric finish

GreenShield® stain-resistant fabric finish

GreenShield, produced by BigSky Technologies LLC, uses advanced nanotechnology to protect fabrics for

interiors and outdoor high-performance apparel, while reducing impacts on the environment and human

health. Multifunctional formulations provide water and oil repellency and stain resistance, with

opportunities for antimicrobial and antibacterial resistance, and flame retardancy in the future. Updated

website discusses the science of the green nanotechnology and the immediate applications for furniture

manufacturers and fabric distributors

G3i GreenShield™ Finish Nets First SCS Certification As Low Fluorocarbon

Treatment
GreenShield™ — an oil- and water-repellent textile finish manufactured by G3 Technology Innovations
(G3i), a Pittsford, N.Y.-based manufacturer of environmentally friendly nanomaterials — has been
certified by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), an Emeryville, Calif.-based third-party certification
services provider and standards developer, as a Low Fluorocarbon treatment. The finish — the first textile
 finish to receive the SCS certification — provides most fabrics with comparable or better repellency using
on average eight times less fluorocarbon than conventional repellent finishes, according to G3i. It is made
using proprietary waste-eliminating, energy-saving technology that utilizes water-based solvents.
“This is a real breakthrough for the textile industry,” said Dr. Joseph Bringley, chief technology officer,
G3i. “The balance between the performance requirements of fabrics and the need to lessen the impact of
those fabrics on the environment and human health are extremely important to the specifiers and
consumers of textiles.”

Nature is a great teacher and a terrific engineer

In the natural world water does not wet the leaves of many plants because their leaves are rough on a small scale.

This microscopic roughness which has been used by nature for thousands of years to provide water repellency, is the

inspiration behind GreenShield. This is known as biomimicry – the science and art of emulating nature’s best

biological ideas to solve human problems.

GreenShield is proud to be in partnership with The Biomimicry Institute where GreenShield is a featured case study.

Making Every Atom Count

Green Nanotechnology is a discipline that leverages the advantage of nanotechnology but not at the expense of

sustainability practices and principles. Green Nanotechology is a product development and manufacturing philosophy

that promotes sustainable system thinking as applied to nanotechnology. This philosophy inspires the adoption of

green principles:

 Using benign materials

 Using energy efficiently

 Generating less waste

Our Nanotechnology is Green

Not all nanotechnology is Green Nanotechnology. All kinds of nano-products
are making their way into the marketplace. Some of these products contain
nano-materials & particles, such as carbon nanotubes, silver and zinc oxides,
and the number of nano-products continues to grow.
Since nanotechnology is a relatively new area of scientific study, little is known about the long term risk of nano-
materials, including their toxicities, potential for emissions and human exposure, and the environmental and
ecological impact. This is why green nanotechnology principles are so important.

 GreenShield permanently binds to each fiber and cannot be released into the environment or enter human
tissue
 GreenShield forms a mesh network and cannot become air borne

At BigSky we believe the best way to reduce risk is to design and engineer those risks out of products
 Green shield’s effect

Green shield

Fluorochemicals are the key ingredients in daily products like stain-resistant pants and non-stick
cookware. However, fluorochemicals have also been found to be bio-accumulative in living
beings and persistent in the environment. GreenShield™ engineered by G3i combines
nanoparticles and fluorochemicals at the nanoscale to create a better stain-resist coating with up
to ten times less flourochemical usage. The GreenShield™ product is also antimicrobial and
antibacterial without leaching harmful chemistries into the environment." (adapted from
company press release)
 Green shield’s surface

Green shield’s surface technology

 biomimicry:
innovation inspired
by nature
Biomimicry is the examination of nature, its models, systems, processes, and elements to take inspiration in order to

solve human problems sustainably.

Biomimicry is a new way of viewing and valuing nature. It introduces an era based not on what we can extract from

the natural world, but what we can learn from it.

The term biomimicry was coined and popularized by Janine Benyus, a scientist and author. GreenShield is proud to

be a featured case study on the

Products can only be as sustainable as the materials and processes

used to make them.

The processes used in the manufacture of GreenShield® are designed in

a way that maximizes product performance while minimizing environmental, health and safety risks.

 USES BENIGN MATERIALS — water based formulation

 USES ENERGY EFFICIENTLY — low temperature process to minimize energy requirements

 GENERATES NO WASTE

Through the principle of micro-roughness, GreenShield reduces the use of fluorochemicals on fabrics. Undetectable

to human touch, the microscopic surface roughness of GreenShield allows water and oil to roll off the surface of the

fabric resulting in water and oil repellency and stain resistance.

 Reduces Fluorocarbons by 8–10 Times

 Is Safe and Environmentally Friendly

 Completely Water-based Formulation

 Permanent with Excellent Wash-Durability

 Improved Hand and Feel

GreenShield® Product Offerings

 High Performance GreenShield

 Low Temperature GreenShield — for polypropylene,

olefins, rayon, etc

GreenShield is Third Party Certified for Environmental Performance.

BigSky Technologies, the manufacturer of GreenShield believes in third party certification, which is a procedure by

which a third party, independently tests and provides assurance that a product conforms to specified requirements.

SCS LOW FLUOROCARBON TREATMENT

GreenShield delivers outstanding stain resistance to fabrics, equivalent or better than that of leading commercial

brands, but reduces dramatically the amount of chemicals that negatively impact the environment.

SCS Low Fluorocarbon Treatment Certificate PDF

MBDC Certification

MBDC benchmarking of GreenShield and GreenShield-FR indicate that both finishes are uniquely eligible for Silver

certification in their Cradle to CradleSM assessment due to the large reduction in fluorochemical concentration relative

to competitive products

GreenShield FAQ

1. How long does the GreenShield finish stay on the fabric?

The GreenShield finish is applied to fabric using standard industry processes; this patented finish is chemically

bound to the fiber of the fabric. Thus the finish is expected to last through the life of the fabric.

2. Is GreenShield a fabric?

No. GreenShield is a low-fluorocarbon based chemical finish

for fabrics.

3. Can I clean GreenShield treated fabrics?

 Yes. Fabric treated with GreenShield is rated as W/S, so

is resistant to water and solvents. Most stains can be easily cleaned with light brushing and/or water or non-solvent

based cleaners.

4. Does GreenShield have a barrier backing?

No. GreenShield normally does not have a barrier backing. However, a backing can be applied if needed.

5. Does GreenShield help with LEED points?

The GreenShield finish is certified through Scientific Certification System (SCS); one can obtain LEED points by

using the GreenShield finish on a textile product.

6. Can the GreenShield finish go on any fabric?

The GreenShield finish can go on any fabric that can safely pass through the curing process at greater than 250

degrees Fahrenheit temperature.

7. Does the GreenShield finish cost more?

No. Since GreenShield is a multi-functional finish, it is actually the most economical finish that allows one to obtain

stain resistance, water repellency, and flame retardant properties

on a fabric through a single chemical finishing process.

8. Where can I buy GreenShield?

The GreenShield finish is available through fabric jobbers, distributors and furniture manufacturers.

GreenShield: Where to Buy

9. What flammability tests does GreenShield FR pass?

Unlike conventional fluoropolymer based finishes that contain significant amounts of highly flammable

hydrocarbons, GreenShield is a predominantly inorganic based finish with low flammability

As such, GreenShield FR will consistently render non-flammability to polyester fabrics while also providing high

performance stain resistance properties. GreenShield FR on polyester will pass the most stringent flammability

tests,

e.g., NFPA 701,NFPA 260, CA 133 and FMVSS 302.

10. Do GreenShield treated fabrics have VOC’s?

 No. The GreenShield treated fabrics have no VOC’s (volatile organic compounds). The GreenShield treated

fabrics have been certified through SCS to be in compliance with indoor air quality standard CA 01350.

11. Does GreenShield have formaldehyde?

No. The GreenShield finish does not use formaldehyde.

12. Does GreenShield change the color of the fabrics?

No. Due to the significantly reduced chemistry, the

GreenShield finish shows improved colorfastness relative

to other treated fabrics.

13. Does the GreenShield finish cause shrinkage in the fabrics?

No.

14. Will specifying GreenShield add lead time to my fabric order?

No.

15. Are the GreenShield treated fabrics breathable?

Yes. Nanoparticle-based GreenShield finish does not change a fabric’s breathability.

16. How does GreenShield compare to Gore Seating Protection?

The GreenShield finish is an inorganic nanoparticle-based chemical finish. In contrast, Gore Seating Protection is

a PTFE based laminating process.

17. How does GreenShield compare to the Nanotex finish?

The Nanotex finish is a fluoropolymer based finish that provides water and stain resistance to a fabric, while the

GreenShield finish is an inorganic nanoparticle-based multifunctional finish

that provides equivalent water and stain repellency with 8-10 times less fluorochemical

Where to buy?

GreenShield® is about choices.

By choosing GreenShield, you choose to reduce the use of harmful chemicals impacting the environment and human

health, increase recyclability and promote sustainability — it’s the right choice to make.
Please join the following companies who have made the GreenShield choice.

FURNITURE MANUFACTURES:

Herman Miller www.hermanmiller.com

The HON Company www.hon.com

Ergogenesis www.ergogenesis.com

FABRIC DISTRIBUTORS:

Anzea Textiles www.anzea.com

Douglass Industries www.douglassfabrics.com

Architex www.architex-ljh.com

Bella-Dura Fabric www.bella-dura.com

Carnegie Fabrics www.carnegiefabrics.com

CF Stinson www.cfstinson.com

Designtex www.designtex.com

HBF Textiles www.hbftextiles.com

Momentum Textiles www.themomgroup.com

Northeast Textiles www.netextiles.com

Oliveira Textiles www.oliveiratextiles.com

Oecotextiles www.oecotextiles.com

Pallas Textiles www.pallastextiles.com

Paul Brayton Designs www.paulbraytondesigns.com

REFERENCES

http://www.greenshieldfinish.com/

http://www.greenshieldfinish.com/whereToBuy.html

http://www.greenshieldfinish.com/productInformation.html

http://www.greenshieldfinish.com/inspiredByNature.html