May 4, 2017   SOURCE: BusinessWire

Dow and Fruit of the Loom Bring Long-Lasting Odor Protection and Moisture Wicking Features to Men’s Underwear

Odor protection and moisture wicking are the top two performance features consumers today desire and The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) and Fruit of the Loom are introducing DUAL DEFENSE™ performance features that offer long-lasting odor protection and moisture wicking to its core men’s underwear line.

“When companies like Fruit of the Loom and Dow collaborate to apply breakthrough technology to consumer products, positive outcomes occur,” said Larry Ryan, business president, Dow Energy and Water Solution. “Not only does the marketplace benefit from these positive outcomes, but so do companies which will fuel future collaborations.”

The collection of men’s FRUIT OF THE LOOM® underwear with DUAL DEFENSE™ will be enhanced with INTELLIFRESH™ durable and long-lasting freshness protection from Dow. INTELLIFRESH™, powered by Dow SILVADUR™ antimicrobial technology, utilizes a patented, smart delivery system that enables long-lasting protection by minimizing the growth of odor-causing bacteria on fabric surfaces.

“Fruit of the Loom is listening to our consumers. They want enhanced benefits at a great value. This collection delivers both in products consumers already know, love, and trust,” said Mark Hartman, vice president of marketing for Fruit of the Loom.

FRUIT OF THE LOOM® chose SILVADUR antimicrobial technology because of the durable performance to last through multiple home launderings. Packaging for the FRUIT OF THE LOOM® products with DUAL DEFENSE™ will feature the INTELLIFRESH™ trademark signaling consumers that the products contain reliable and longer lasting built-in odor protection.

“The growing consumer trend for a more hygienic, sustainable lifestyle is increasing the marketplace demand for apparel with ‘smart technologies’ that offer multiple functional benefits,” said Karel Williams, strategic marketing director for Dow Microbial Control. “As an industry leader, Fruit of the Loom has recognized this important trend and responded by enhancing its Fruit of the Loom products with INTELLIFRESH™ built-in odor protection.”

The FRUIT OF THE LOOM® 100 percent cotton underwear collection with DUAL DEFENSE features will be available during the key “back to school” season, and includes crew, V-neck and A-shirt tops, and both brief and boxer brief bottoms.

About Fruit of the Loom

Fruit of the Loom is a global pioneer in the design, manufacture and marketing of family apparel, intimates, and athletic apparel and equipment. Fruit of the Loom and its subsidiaries, including Russell Brands, LLC and Vanity Fair Brands, LP, have a heritage of more than 150 years, with a diverse portfolio of more than 20 iconic brands, including FRUIT OF THE LOOM®, RUSSELL ATHLETIC®, SPALDING®, JERZEES®, and VANITY FAIR®. The company is an industry leader in social and environmental responsibility in the communities where it operates around the world. Headquartered in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Fruit of the Loom and affiliated companies employ nearly 30,000 people in 17 countries. They provide 200,000 additional jobs through sourcing and licensing manufacturing locations in 25 countries. For more information, visit fotlinc.com.

About Dow Microbial Control

Dow Microbial Control innovates with science and technology to provide long-term viable and sustainable microbial control. Our comprehensive global offering provides customers with solutions to optimize formulations, including a high performing and technically supported selection of registered actives and products. With world-class people organization-wide and a broad portfolio of microbial control technologies, Dow Microbial Control can help solve most any microbial control problem. From specialty and highly regulated to non-regulated, the company has the experience and the essentials for more sustainable microbial control protection for products and processes. Visit www.DowMicrobialControl.com.

About Dow

Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the power of science and technology to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company is driving innovations that extract value from material, polymer, chemical and biological science to help address many of the world's most challenging problems, such as the need for fresh food, safer and more sustainable transportation, clean water, energy efficiency, more durable infrastructure, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's integrated, market-driven portfolio delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in 175 countries and in high-growth sectors such as packaging, infrastructure, transportation, consumer care, electronics, and agriculture. In 2016, Dow had annual sales of $48 billion and employed approximately 56,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 7,000 product families are manufactured at 189 sites in 34 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com

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