Filium’s Green Chemistry Enhances Natural Fibers for Performance
Brothers Raj and Akhil Shah settled in Seattle some 40 years ago and started several successful fashion apparel companies—including menswear label Shah Safari and upscale sportswear brand International News—and have partnered with retailers and brands worldwide, including Fred Segal and Filene’s.
It was through these ventures that the duo became increasingly aware of the dangers that synthetic fibers posed to both people and the planet. So, the Shahs spent eight years developing an eco-friendly material—under the company Filium Corp.—to transform natural fibers into performance fabrics. As a result, Filium’s proprietary technology was validated by its in-house brands and hit the apparel market in 2016.
More from Sourcing Journal
The patent-pending process turns cotton, modal, wool, linen—natural fibers—into water-repelling, stain-resisting and odor-free fabrics. It offers a sustainable solution for textile enhancement while ensuring the safety of both consumers and the environment.
It works on synthetic and blended textiles, too.
“Our commitment to sustainability and innovation drives us to provide eco-friendly solutions that not only enhance the performance of everyday garments but also contribute to a healthier planet,” Raj Shah, CEO of Filium Corp., said. “We believe that Filium technology will revolutionize the way people think and interact with their clothing.”
It’s worth noting that the brothers had been working on a sportswear brand, Zenkai Sports, with former professional athlete Doug Lynch since 2018.
“We created Zenkai because we didn’t see an option in the apparel industry that benefits both humans and the environment,” Lynch said. “It’s rewarding to see industry leaders, actors and athletes embrace our brand story and help frame our vision for disrupting the performance apparel space.”
Their brand held exclusive rights to the tech—which has been lauded by the likes of former Under Armour executive Matt Shearer and Chris Overholt, former CEO of the Canadian Olympic Committee—until bringing it to market in June.
“Last year, I sat down with Raj and asked about the plan for Filium; why are we competing against Lulu and Nike and Adidas? Let’s go partner with them and bring a natural solution to the textile world instead of creating a brand—that’s what I’ve always wanted to do, but I didn’t have you. Now that I have you, let’s go through this together.”
At that point, Lynch became the second largest shareholder and co-founder of Filium Corp.
The former pro hockey player serves as president of the Jordan-backed brand, which hit the market earlier this summer following attraction (see: investment) from heavy hitters like professional golfer Rickie Fowler, NBA players Marcus Morris and Markieff Morris as well as National Hockey League competitors Jonathan Toews and Marty Turco.
“This technology is a game-changer, allowing us to push the boundaries of what natural fibers can achieve,” Lynch said. “As we introduce Filium to the market, we are not just offering a product, but a promise—to provide durable, eco-friendly fabric solutions that meet the demands of both today and tomorrow’s consumers.”
The core chemistry of Filium borrows the idea of dendrimers from the natural world, the materials science company said. Dendrimers are “cascade molecules” made of multi-functional branches interacting and self-organizing into highly ordered, multi-component systems. The strength of the dendrimer configuration optimizes the structure of the Filium chemistry, which attaches to textile substrates and embeds fluorine-free performance. It works by applying a special treatment to fabrics that alter their surface properties without changing their appearance, feel or breathability.
“Now we have Zenkai as, like, a concept brand, so if you want to try our technology, I’ll send you a T-shirt,” Lynch told Sourcing Journal. “Pour water on it, don’t wash it. There’s no smell and it’s all cotton, incredible for your and the planet. It’s kickass.”
Filium enhances the body’s natural cooling process by allowing a thin layer of sweat to evaporate as one’s core temperature increases. Marketed as the world’s first nature-positive textile performance technology, it offers high efficiency and durability with minimal application, ensuring breathability without compromising the fabric’s feel or appearance. By enhancing the fabric’s natural properties, Filium provides performance benefits without relying on chemical coatings that could affect the fabric’s feel or environmental impact.
The formula is compliant with various eco-centric entities including Oeko-Tex, the ZDHC, Bluesign and GOTS and is certified under the EPA’s Toxic Chemical Substance Act (TSCA) as well. Filium is non-halogenated and free of nanoparticles, fluorine, PFAS, PVC, silver and formaldehyde. The biggest selling point of the technology is that garments activated with Filium can be worn for longer periods without needing to be laundered.
Integrating with Filium could also potentially simplify supply chains. The group’s ownership and dedicated partners offer state-of-the-art, fully vertical spinning, knitting, weaving, dyeing and garment production all on the same premises.
“We’ve been doing a lot of turnkey services as our business model is very flexible, very adaptable,” Lynch said. “It’s commercially viable. It’s not some test tube, Bunsen burner situation going on; this is fully operational.”
The award-winning materials science company helps save water, reduce energy consumption and prolong the lifespan of fabrics while promoting wellness. Brands utilizing the technology include Par(X) and Ably Apparel—for now. The Vancouver Fire Department and health system Virginia Mason Franciscan Health are also clients, showcasing the treatment’s versatility.
“We’re a materials science company; we can be applied to anything,” Lynch said.
Solve the daily Crossword
