New research conducted at the University of British Columbia (UBC)’s Okanagan Campus, in partnership with Arc’teryx, has resulted in the development of a non-toxic replacement for conventional water-repellent chemicals. The study was recently published in the scientific journal Nature Sustainability. Fabric finishes typically use perfluoro compounds (PFCs) for oil and water repellency, but PFC-based finishes are not sustainable and garment factories are phasing out PFC usage. The research team did not use any PFCs and by adding a nanoscopic layer of silicone to each fiber in a woven fabric, it created a jacket fabric that repels water, oils and sweat, they claimed.