Cupron, a 6-year-old company based in Greenboro,
N.C. which conducts its research and development
in the Jerusalem suburb of Beit Shemesh says it
is the first textile manufacturer to produce
fibers "impregnated" with copper oxide, an agent
that kills bacteria and odor on contact. Among
the company's various products which are claimed
to heal and prevent athlete's foot.
The company says that Cupron, Inc. has
successfully created a cost effective platform
technology that utilizes the qualities of copper
and binds copper to textile fibers, allowing for
the production of woven, knitted and non-woven
fabrics containing copper-impregnated fibers with
the antimicrobial protection against
microrganisms such as bacteria and fungi that
attack Cupron fibers.
Cupron is supplying the U.S. army and has signed
a contract with North Carolina sock manufacturer
Renfro Corp., which developed its "copper-sole"
brand using Cupron's patented technology.
Tests conducted in independent testing
laboratories have demonstrated product efficacy
in deactivation of a wide variety of
microorganisms. The company is now awaiting
approval by the FDA.
There is nothing new in the belief in the
efficacy of copper to heal a variety of diseases.
It goes back thousands of years. The ancient
Egyptians and Greeks used copper pipes to clean
drinking water and the Aztecs used it for sore
throats. Today, many arthritis sufferers wear
copper bracelets to relieve their pain.
The company gifted socks to Israeli troops during
last summer's war against Hezbollah guerrillas in
Lebanon.
The company projects sales of $10m. in 2007 and expects to break even.