When unboxing a brand-new mattress, consumers are often greeted with a smell which could be a sign of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) off-gassing into the air they breathe, states bedding components specialist, BekaertDeslee.
Described by the World Health Organization (WHO) as "one of the top five environmental risks to public health”, the presence of VOCs in indoor air can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, trigger headaches, and aggravate asthma or other respiratory conditions, says the supplier, and mattresses are among the primary sources of VOC emissions in bedrooms.
"As environmental and health awareness rises among consumers, manufacturers are under growing pressure to minimise chemical emissions – without compromising comfort, performance or sustainability," says BekaertDeslee, which has developed a solution in collaboration with a University of Cambridge spin-off.
"Purifair represents a significant leap forward in textile engineering," the supplier explains. "It’s a proprietary fabric treatment that captures VOCs escaping from the mattress core within the mattress surface, before they reach your nose or lungs.
"Unlike typical fragrance-based solutions that mask odour, Purifair is a physical VOC capture technology. It binds unwanted molecules, from solvents to aldehydes, and traps them within the textile itself, away from the sleeper.
"The result? A measurable drop in odour intensity and airborne VOCs, all without altering the mattress look, feel, or sustainability profile."
Purifair's efficacy has been confirmed through both analytical chemistry and human sensory studies, says BekaertDeslee.
According to the supplier, with Purifair, mattress manufacturers can offer: immediate sleep readiness – no need to 'air out' the mattress; enhanced first impressions – a fresh, neutral smell instead of synthetic odours; and a non-toxic, skin-safe solution – no added fragrances, coatings or harmful residues.
"Purifair isn’t just a product – it’s a response to a changing world, where healthier homes and cleaner air matter more than ever," says BekaertDeslee. "By tackling VOCs at the source, BekaertDeslee is leading the industry toward a future where performance and wellness coexist."
