DWR (Durable Water Repellent) refers to a type of finish applied to fabrics that helps make them water-resistant. The "C0" designation means that it does not contain fluorocarbons and “C6” uses fluorocarbon chains that contain PFC’s (per fluorinated compounds). PFCs are persistent in the environment and can accumulate in the food chain, posing long-term ecological and health risks. 

C0 DWR is the only DWR that is approved for use from 2025 in some markets and from 2026 all over.

DWR treatments primarily focus on water and moisture resistance rather than stain resistance. However, the hydrophobic (water-repellent) nature of the fabric may prevent some water-based stains from soaking in, though oily or greasy stains might still be problematic.

DWR works by applying a polymer that reduces the surface tension of the fabric. When the surface tension of the fabric is lower than that of a liquid, the liquid will bead up and roll off, rather than soak into the fabric. Water molecules have a surface tension of about 70 millinewtons (mN) per meter, while the surface tension of oil is much lower at 20 mN. PFC-free C0 DWR creates a surface tension +/- 20mN compared to PFC C6 DWR which has a surface tension about 10nM. As the PFC-free C0 DWR surface tension is about the same as oil it is less effective at repelling oil-based substances, potentially leaving stains on the fabrics.

On both webbing and cord in general, a very small amount of oil is contained, which is necessary for the weaving process to prevent breakage. The QC inspection of finished products in our factory ensures that the products are stain free and without any marks. However when products are packed especially into stuff sacks etc  a small amount of oil could be transferred to the fabric and make spots, stains and/or marks. It's important to emphasise that this is associated with C0 DWR treated fabrics and is not a defect. 

Stains and marks caused by C0 DWR are temporary. Based on our experience, which is also confirmed by feedback from markets who have been implementing C0 DWR earlier, these marks will disappear over time. Stains and marks will disappear within 7-10 days depending on temperature and general weather conditions. In warm and humid weather the stains disappear quicker than in cold and dry weather. 

Since C0 DWR treated fabric is the current standard for PFAS-free production, these kinds of marks cannot be avoided. However here are some actions that are implemented in our production process including the packaging of finished products that will help to reduce the occurrence of these marks;

Protecting parts that we expect contains small amounts of oil: Adding a protective paper to cover  webbing to prevent the oil transferred from webbing during the packing. 

Repositioning webbing in the packaging process: Keep webbing etc away from the outside of the product(s).

Unavoidable marks: There are some which we cannot move them, e.g. webbings next to the pole channels and guylines etc. The marks like this will still occur, but as mentioned, these will be gone over time.

Machine oil spots: Some small darker spots may be caused by the machine oils during the production. We pay extra attention to this during the bulk production to minimise this issue.
 
Avoid using cleaning detergents to remove marks and stains, as this could reduce the water repellent properties. 

C0 DWR Summary:
Chemical Composition: C0 DWR treatments are fluorocarbon-free, meaning they do not contain PFCs. 

Performance: C0 DWR treatments generally offer good water repellency but may not be as durable or effective at repelling oil and stains compared to fluorocarbon-based treatments like C6. Advances in technology, however, are continually improving the performance of C0 DWR treatments.

Environmental Impact: C0 DWR treatments are considered much more environmentally friendly. They break down more easily in the environment and do not pose the same risks to wildlife and human health as PFCs.

Comparison to C6 and Choice:
Performance vs. Environmental Impact: C6 DWR treatments offer better performance in terms of durability and effectiveness in repelling oil and stains. However, they come with significant environmental concerns due to the presence of PFCs. C0 DWR treatments are a more sustainable option, minimising ecological and health risks. 


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What is DWR?