Optimer Performance Fibers, Inc. signed a licensing agreement with Karsu Tekstil of Kayseri, Turkey to spin its Dri-release with FreshGuard® patented moisture management technology yarn.
Established in 1973 by the Molu family, Karsu specializes in cottons (Aegean, organic and Supima®) and cotton blends with wool, linen, silk, nylon, acrylic, polyester, viscose, Coolmax®, Thermolite®, bamboo, cashmere and soy. It also engineers fire-resistant blends.
Karsu also has a close and long-standing relationship with Lenzing, producing their entire line of branded viscose products. The exclusive producer of Lenzing Modal® in Turkey for the last 10 years, Karsu also works with Lenzing Vicose®, ProViscose® ProModal®, Micromodal® and Lenzing FR®, in 100% and blends.
The Karsu factory and head office are located in Kayseri, in central Turkey, with sales offices in Istanbul and Denizli. Sales agents are located in Greece, Portugal, Italy and the US. Their business is 60% domestic, 40% export.
“What Karsu brings to the party is the power of their extensive capacity and expertise combined with a boutique mentality,” says Karen Deniz, Optimers managing director of marketing, “by that, I mean they are as focused on developing creative, cutting edge products for us as they are efficient at producing them for our customers.”
After refining several versions of poly/cotton Dri-release with FreshGuard for Optimer, Deniz says the company will then concentrate on producing Dri-release E.C.O., the Dri-release wool. “Ultimately, we would like Karsu to develop a new Dri-release nylon blend as well.”
