INNOFINLAND Prize
Melocoton Oy, Mikkeli, Southern Savo
Biotechnological finishing process of wool textiles
Melcoton Oy was established in 1998 and is a company dyeing and finishing products in the ready-to-wear and interior textile industry. It specialises in biotechnological processes to finish textiles by using enzymes and has developed the finishing technologies called Melotouch® and Washwool®. The first one is a biotechnological process to finish cotton-type textiles by using cellulase enzymes, and the latter is a biotechnological process to finish wool textiles. Washwool is an innovation which makes use of the world?s textile and clothing industry and market. The technology enables wool textiles to be washed with water and removes the roughness of the material.
The Washwool process permanently improves the qualities of wool textiles, which after the treatment can frequently be worn and machine washed without shrinking, pilling, or getting matted. The treatment also softens the wool so that it can be worn on sensitive skin. The process is environmentally friendly and is based on the use of biodegradable protease enzymes made of natural raw material.
At the moment, the company is applying for an international registration of its trademark Washwool and has filed a national patent application on the innovation in December 2002. The product development is carried out using the company?s own resources together with research work subcontracted out to VTT Biotechnology.
Commercialisation has begun together with pilot partners in 2003. The pilot clients include major European manufacturers of wool fabrics and knitted fabrics. The product will be available on the international market in 2005.
Contact information:
Managing Director Pia Merikoski
Yrittäjänkatu 22, FI-50130 Mikkeli
www.melocoton.fi
pia.merikoski@melocoton.fi
faksti Fax +358 (0)15 760 0137