Sabiya Donates Odor-Fighting Athletic Apparel to the Corps of Exploration Aboard E/V Nautilus

DURHAM, N.C., July 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- This summer 750 Sabiya by PurThread high-performance and odor-fighting shirts and sweatshirts are keeping over 100 scientists, engineers, and educators aboard Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus comfortable in the heat during their summer expedition off the coasts of Turkey and Cyprus.  With close quarters and non-stop exploration to be accomplished, Sabiya by PurThread donated odor-fighting garments to support the expedition team in their efforts to map and explore the seafloor in the Black, Aegean, and Mediterranean Seas.  Fabrics made with Sabiya ingredient yarn include the same complex element compound (CEC) with antimicrobial effects found in PurThread hospital textiles to help, keep fabrics fresh from odor.  In total, Sabiya by PurThread donated 250 polo shirts, 250 t-shirts, and 250 sweatshirts to the (E/V) Nautilus crew. The Nautilus Exploration Program is led by Dr. Robert Ballard and Dr. Katy Croff Bell.  A notable undersea explorer, Dr. Ballard gained notoriety in 1985 for his discovery of the wreckage of the RMS Titanic.  Live video footage of the undersea exploration can be found at www.nautiluslive.org.

"We are extremely grateful for the generous donation by PurThread Technologies of the Sabiya shirts and sweatshirts," said Dr. Katy Croff Bell, Expedition Leader for the Nautilus Exploration Program. "Our expeditions include many demanding environments, from the hot sun and heat on deck to cramped quarters below decks. We appreciate that Sabiya is helping our Corps of Exploration in their demanding work aboard Nautilus." 

The CEC of the Sabiya by PurThread fiber and yarn consists of naturally-occurring antimicrobials, including silver and copper, to protect fabrics against odor-causing bacteria, mold, mildew and fungus.  The Sabiya textile technology permanently binds the CEC directly into the fiber itself, so its effectiveness does not diminish over time.  Because the CEC in Sabiya garments is not a coating, its efficacy will not wash off or wear out, no matter how many times the fabric is worn or laundered.

"We are thrilled to be contributing to the success of the Nautilus Exploration Program with this sporting apparel donation," said Jenifer Smyth, Vice President of Consumer and Military Applications for PurThread Technologies and leader of the Sabiya brand. "The physical activity, close quarters and long periods between washings is a perfect field application for our fabric and we are excited to learn how the expedition team experiences its effectiveness.  We are also grateful to the teams at Beal Manufacturing, Alamac American Knits LLC, and Coville Inc. for helping us to bring this high performance apparel to the exploration team."

About the Nautilus Exploration Program

The Nautilus Exploration Program was founded in 2008 by Dr. Robert Ballard and is a joint ocean exploration initiative of the Ocean Exploration Trust, the Institute for Exploration and the URI Center for Ocean Exploration. This international program centers on scientific exploration of the seafloor launched from aboard the Exploration Vessel Nautilus, a 64-meter research vessel currently based in Istanbul, Turkey. In addition to conducting pure scientific research, the Nautilus Exploration Program offers ocean telepresence to explorers on shore via live video, audio and data feeds from the ship. The Program also includes an education component that brings educators and students on E/V Nautilus expeditions. The 2012 Nautilus Exploration Program is sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Ocean Exploration Trust, Bechtel Corporation, Sea Research Foundation, National Geographic Society, Office of Naval Research, University of Rhode Island and additional private donors.

About Sabiya by PurThread

Sabiya markets odor-fighting, high-performance yarn for freshness applications. The Sabiya yarn consists of a Complex Element Compound (CEC) with antimicrobial properties, engineered by PurThread Technologies. This CEC helps to guard fabrics against odor-causing bacteria, mold, mildew and fungus.  Able to meet the toughest demands of those who work and play hard, Sabiya by PurThread keeps gear and fabrics fresh from the first use to the last. For more information, visit www.sabiya.com.

Media Contact:

Lisa Ann Pinkerton
Technica Communications
408-806-962
[email protected]

SOURCE PurThread Technologies