Parx Materials and Oriental International Group Announce Strategic Cooperation on Antibacterial Textile Innovation
Rotterdam, Netherlands / Shanghai, China – January 26, 2026
Parx Materials, a pioneer in physical antibacterial technology, today announced that it has entered into a landmark five-year strategic cooperation with Shanghai Textile Raw Materials Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Orient International (Group) Ltd. This collaboration places Parx's revolutionary zinc-based antibacterial technology at the heart of China's largest textile manufacturing group.
Oriental International Group is one of the largest textile and garment conglomerates in China, with revenue reaching 71 billion yuan (9 billion euros) in 2024. The Group employs 58,000 people worldwide and operates 73 international offices in 29 countries. With a daily textile production capacity of 120 metric tons at its Shanghai plant alone, Oriental International Group holds significant influence in the global textile supply chain, from advanced manufacturing to fashion retail.
As the entity of this collaboration, Shanghai Textile Raw Materials Co., Ltd. is a key production facility within the Group, focused on functional textile materials and advanced fiber applications.
Partnership Based on Proven Performance
"This agreement is the culmination of 18 months of extensive cooperation between our two companies," said Michael van der Jagt, Chief Executive Officer of Parx Materials. "Our antimicrobial technology has been thoroughly tested and validated in a variety of textile applications as well as at the mass production level, with excellent results. The technology achieves more than 99.9 percent antibacterial efficiency against common pathogens, while maintaining the natural properties of advanced fibers such as lyocell."
Independent laboratory tests conducted by SGS according to the ISO 20743:2021 standard for antimicrobial activity of textiles confirm the excellent performance of the technology:
>99.9% Antibacterial Rate against Staphylococcus aureus (a common skin bacteria)
>99.9% Antibacterial Rate against E. coli (intestinal bacteria)
Durable Performance maintained after multiple industrial washing cycles
These results demonstrate that Parx's physical antibacterial approach provides the long-lasting, reliable protection required for high-quality textile applications.
The collaboration builds on the recent breakthrough made by Parx Materials in achieving the mass production of antibacterial yarns. The technology is a world-first that integrates physical antibacterial properties directly into the fiber spinning process, rather than through post-processing application. This innovation has attracted significant interest from major textile manufacturers looking for sustainable, safe and durable antibacterial solutions.
Physical Antibacterial Technology Meets Industrial Scale
The patented technology of Parx Materials is creating an antimicrobial barrier characterized by:
No need for heavy metals, nanoparticles or sterilizing chemicals
Maintained effectiveness throughout the product life cycle
Retention of all natural textile properties (softness, breathability, appearance)
Drug-free oral safety certification for sensitive applications
This makes the technology particularly suitable for areas such as medical textiles, high-end home textiles, mother and baby products, and intimate apparel produced by Oriental International, where both safety and long-lasting antibacterial protection are essential.
Five-Year Strategic Collaboration
This cooperation agreement continues through 2030, allowing Shanghai Textile Raw Materials Co., Ltd. to integrate Parx's antibacterial technology into its entire product portfolio for the China market. This includes the right to fully use the Parx brand logo in product marketing and packaging, reflecting the mutual commitment to bringing quality antibacterial textiles to consumers.
Market Timing and Growth Potential
The partnership comes at a critical time when consumer awareness of hygiene and material safety continues to increase. The global antibacterial textile market is expected to exceed $12 billion by 2030, with the Asia-Pacific region being the fastest growing region.
"Oriental International Group's manufacturing capabilities and extensive distribution network provide an ideal platform for bringing our technology to consumers at scale," Michael van der Jagt noted. "With its presence in Asia and across the globe, the partnership has the potential to bring truly safe antibacterial textiles to millions of people."
About Parx Materials N.V.
Parx Materials N.V., headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, is a pioneer in developing physical antimicrobial technologies based on biocompatible zinc compounds. The company holds multiple patents worldwide and its technology has been successfully applied in the fields of medical devices, food packaging, textiles and consumer goods. Parx Materials' technologies have been recognized in international innovation awards and have received regulatory approval in key markets around the world.
About Oriental International (Group) Limited
Oriental International (Group) Ltd. is one of the largest state-owned enterprises in China and ranks in Fortune China Top 500. Founded in 1994, the Group combines advanced manufacturing and modern services with a focus on trade and supply chain services, fashion brand management and advanced textile manufacturing. The Group has 377 subsidiaries, including four publicly traded companies, and operates in more than 170 countries and regions around the world.