Kotani Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. (13-14 Chikko Hamadera Nishi machi, Sakai), has recently developed the pollen-release finishing agent Queenseter POL and the two-liquid-type pollen-absorbing agents Queenseter PLC A sol. and B sol. Since over 90% of people born after the 1970s are said to have allergies in Japan, hay fever, caused by pollen from the likes of the Japanese cedar and the Japanese cypress dispersed in the air, has become a typical complaint among modern ailments. Cedar pollen can be dispersed to a concentration of 4000-10000 grains/cm2 in a season when the count is high. In response to this, Kotani Chemical Industry has launched a pollen-release finishing agent for use in garments and bedding, and a pollen-absorbing finishing agent for curtains and industrial materials. Aside from pollen, the pollen-release finishing agent Queenseter POL has also been found effective against soiling with sand, dirt, dust and the metabolic waste (e.g. remains, faeces) of mites.

Queenseter PLC A sol. and B sol. are finishing auxiliaries potently capable of absorbing ('catching') pollen and preventing its dispersion through formation of a special soft resin film on fiber.

PLC A sol.

Appearance	:	Transparent pale yellow liquid
pH	:	Approx. 5.0 (stock solution)
Ionicity	:	Nonionic
Main component	:	Aqueous polyurethane resin
Solubility	:	Easily dissolves in water in any ratio

PLC B sol.

Appearance	:	White emulsion
pH	:	Approx. 4.0 (stock solution)
Ionicity	:	Cationic
Main component	:	Aqueous polyurethane resin
Solubility	:	Easily dissolves in water in any ratio

Features

1)	Effectively absorbs ('catches') pollen such as that of the Japanese cedar and the Japanese cypress, preventing its dispersal into the air. Pollen so attached can be removed easily with light washing. The properties for pollen absorption and removal in washing have good durability with practically no deterioration even after repeated washing.
2)	Produces a soft hand in treated fabric. While the structure of the special resin film results in strong adhesiveness for pollen, the fabric surface remains smooth, soft and free from tackiness.
3)	Applicable for all types of fibers including cotton, rayon, polyester and acryl.
4)	Causes no yellowing due to curing or otherwise color alteration after treatment.

Method of use

The amounts used vary according to the kind of substrate and its surface, the following are considered to be standard for general usage.

	Queenseter PLC A sol. 1.5-2.5% sol.	Padding→drying
	Queenseter PLC B sol. 1.5-2.5% sol.

• Although not especially required after treatment, curing will improve fastness to repeated washing.
• Preliminary testing of possible influences on the pollen absorption (catching) effects in cases of simultaneous use with other auxiliaries.
• Fastness verification is necessary.

Example of performance test

- Pollen absorption ('catching')

∇	Specimens were placed in a bag containing 0.1g of lycopodium powder (spores of club moss), shaken 50 times, removed from the bag and lightly shaken before the quantity of attached pollen was determined.

Substrate: Polyester

Micrographic images (150 x)

(Click the image for enlargement)

- Soil/dust absorption ('catching')

∇	Specimens were placed in a bag containing 1g of a mixture of akadama soil, common soil and carbon black, shaken 50 times, removed from the bag and lightly shaken before the level of soiling was evaluated with the naked eye.

	Queenseter PLC A sol. 1.5-2.5% sol.	Padding → drying
	Queenseter PLC B sol. 1.5-2.5% sol.

∇	Specimens were placed in a bag containing 1g of a mixture of akadama soil and common soil, shaken 50 times, removed from the bag, and lightly shaken before the level of soiling was evaluated with the naked eye.

	Queenseter PLC A sol. 1.5-2.5% sol.	Padding → drying
	Queenseter PLC B sol. 1.5-2.5% sol.