2011
We're launching the Adpative by HeiQ technology. Adaptive is a truly unique textile finish technology providing textiles with dynamic properties, adapting to its surroundings. Adaptive makes textiles more confortable, dryer, cooler, warmer - all depending on the needs and circumstances.
2010
This year say the birth of Oilguard, a non-woven fabric treated with our knowhow to absorb oil and repell water. In November we were winners of the Swiss Innovation Award for our Oilguard product. We expand our operations into South and North America in addition to Europe and Asia.
2009
HeiQ launches its Barrier by HeiQ textile effects at the Techtextil show in Frankfurt and signs up the first customers for the products. The website Barrier by HeiQ is launched. At the same time, sales of the Pure by HeiQ products are expanded all across Europe and Asia through new distributors and local agent networks .
2008
HeiQ launches its Pure by HeiQ antimicrobial textile effect and establishes major partnerships with leading partners for distribution of the product. The company receives Oeko-tex approval for its antimicrobial textile products HeiQ AGS-20 TF and HeiQ AGS-20 MB. The consumer branding program Pure by HeiQ is launched including its own website. Mammut Sports Group launches its Alpine Underwear collection incorporating the Pure by HeiQ textile effects. HeiQ becomes a member of the European Union Silver Task Force. HeiQ's CEO and co-founder Carlo Centonze becomes finalist in Ernst&Young's Entrepreneur of the Year Switzerland award 2008.
2007
HeiQ builds its first mass-production facility in northern Switzerland on a former Solvay production site. HeiQ expands further with more people in production, research and development and sales and marketing. The headcount of HeiQ employees and R&D affiliates gets close to 20. The company participates at the world's largest plastic trade show, the K 2007 in Düsseldorf, Germany. HeiQ develops together with leading partners a new antimicrobial textile finish as well as a new antimicrobial plastic coating. HeiQ adds many new customers of which the Italian textile fiber manufacturer Radici and the collaboration with the medical device manufacturer B.Braun is communicated to the market.
2006
HeiQ builds its first large-scale production reactor and finalizes the development of its composite silver additive. HeiQ is awarded with the CTI Label, the Venture prize, the W.A. DeVigier prize the venture leader prize and follows the IMD startup programm. HeiQ starts the development of a composite copper, zinc and titania additive.
2005
HeiQ Materials AG is registered as a company under Swiss law. HeiQ builds its first small scale pilot production reactor and starts the development of a composite silver additive. HeiQ wins the Siska-Heuberger young entrepreneurs prize.
2004
It all started with a mountain hike in Switzerland in year 2004. 8 friends had been out for about a week in the summer conditions of the Swiss alps. At the end of the week as the functional clothes started smelling, Carlo Centonze and Murray Height saw a business opportunity in adding silver to clothes to stop the odor development caused by naturally occuring bacteria, all by using the production technology newly invented by Murray Height. This was the foundation for the company HeiQ. HeiQ (pronounced [hi-kew] is merging the spirit of the hike with hi-quality additives and intelligent materials. This is also reflected in its name HeiQ Materials.
