Industrial moisture-proof material 'Gore-Tex' to be subject to European regulations starting in 2026
Because it is non-biodegradable, it causes environmental pollution and carcinogenicity when accumulated in the human body.
Alternative material 'Biblotec' developed… Excellent performance in moisture resistance and breathability
Better price and quality than competitors… 2030 Global Top 5 Goal
▲Han Seol-ah, CEO of SOFNT, is holding a sample of the nanofiber material ‘Viblotec’. Photo = Reporter Kim Yu-seung
If the 20th century global economy was led by 'Goliath companies' centered on manufacturing and finance, many predict that the 21st century economy will be led by 'David companies', innovative startups. In fact, the protagonists of changes in the global economy and market over the past 20 years have been startups based on information and communication technology (ICT). Apple, Google, Facebook, Tesla, Alibaba, TikTok, and even domestic companies such as Naver, Kakao, Nexon, and Coupang started out as individual startups. These startups are leading the creation of new added value and new jobs in the domestic and overseas economy.
The domestic and international startup fever is hotter than ever, dreaming of and benchmarking 'star' startups that have grown from mere 'shepherds' to confident 'generals'. However, the process to taste the fruits of success is very difficult. We introduce 'David descendants' startups that are constantly practicing their skills to survive in the 'jungle game' where there are more failures than successes until they start up (start up) but jump up (growth). (Editor's note)
▲designed by Energy Economy Newspaper
Gore-Tex, a moisture-proof material widely known to the public for use in outdoor gear such as mountaineering wear, has been banned from export and commercialization in Europe starting in 2026 due to problems such as non-biodegradability and carcinogenicity when accumulated in the human body.
Materials startup SOFNT is a company that has developed polyurethane (PU)-based nanofibers to replace Gore-Tex, and is manufacturing 'Viblotec', which has breathability that existing high-functionality materials could not satisfy.
'Biblotec' developed bySOFNT is a new material that uses a nanomembrane that is processed into a mesh structure of nanofibers, which are ultra-fine fibers of 10㎚ or less. Currently, SOFNT is producing materials used as industrial filters for electronic products and medical products by laminating nanomembranes to fibers such as non-woven fabrics.
Han Seol-ah, CEO of SOFNT, said, “Gore-Tex, a material that dominates the industrial textile market, is made of perfluorinated polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which is called the ‘eternal chemical substance,’ and its use will be banned under the European Chemical Substance Management System starting in 2026.” She added, “The market size for replacement filters and vents using perfluorinated compounds is so large that it could reach 4 trillion won.”
'Viblotec', an alternative material developed by Softenti for market entry, has various functions such as breathability, hydrophilicity, and blocking harmful substances, and passed rigorous tests that even existing high-functionality materials could not match.
In addition, when a corporate order comes in, production is possible according to the purpose and desired performance level. Another advantage is that the price is lower than that of global competitors who supply bio-industry materials, and the quality of materials can be maintained consistently.
SOFNT entered full-scale business of Viblotec in October of last year and supplies materials divided into three sectors: Medical, Industry, and Apparel. Currently, it is focusing on Medical and Industry to expand its business, and has started supplying Medical after conducting verification (POC) with about 13 companies including domestic mid-sized companies, medical device specialists, and large hospitals. Sales from the Industry sector are expected to occur in the second quarter of next year (April to July).
A representative said, “Since the supply of materials is carried out under optimal conditions, it has the advantage of being able to conduct continuous transactions rather than one-time sales,” and “In the case of a specific part of medical filters, we have started supplying them because we believe we can occupy 30% of the market in Korea alone, and we are currently conducting sales for non-reimbursement registration.”
▲The structure of SOFNT's 'Viblotec' material. Photo = SOFNT
The background to the development of the high-performance material 'Viblotec' by SOFNT is that experts including CEO Han joined forces. CEO Han is an expert in the material field with a background of △6 years of R&D (research and development) at the Textile and Apparel Technology Support Center of the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology △2021 Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy Materials, Parts, and Equipment Business Planning Committee Member △Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy Knowledge Economy Technology Innovation Evaluation Committee Evaluation Committee Member. He started the business after receiving technology transfer from Professor Choi Jin-hyun of the Department of Biofiber Materials at Kyungpook National University.
Thanks to this, SOFNT has achieved the following results: △ holding 16 patents (including applications) including the original technology for manufacturing nanofibers in Korea, the US, and China, and the technology for manufacturing eco-friendly composite antibacterial nanofibers; △ being selected as one of the 100 small and medium-sized startups by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups in 2022; △ receiving the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Award for Smiletech Promising Company in 2023; △ obtaining 5 national R&D projects from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups; and △ obtaining FDA, ISO 9001, and GRS certifications.
SOFNT is focusing on developing the optimal mechanical design with the Series A goal in order to further advance the material in the future. This is because existing nanomembranes are created like a membrane by spraying nanofibers with a syringe, and there are problems such as uneven thickness or the solution splashing out, which can create holes.
“We are building our own production machinery that is different from the existing methods,” a representative said. “Once we bring in the machinery, we will be able to manufacture the highest quality textiles.”
In order to enter the global market, SOFNT participated in the Munich Performance Day, a new materials exhibition in Germany, last year. It plans to participate in the event held in October for the second consecutive year, and plans to participate in overseas medical and industrial materials exhibitions next year. However, a representative explained that collaboration with domestic global companies is a higher priority because if they supply to large domestic companies, they can handle a large volume domestically and simultaneously pursue overseas exports.
CEO Han Seol-ah said, “Our goal is to become a global top 5 company by 2030 in the nanofiber market and the filter and vent material market using perfluorinated compound alternatives,” adding, “We plan to achieve an IPO (initial public offering) in 2027.”
Reporter Kim Yu-seung kys@ekn.kr
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