Microban International will supply odour-capture technology for Ortovox's first mountain biking collection, the Sequence Series, launching from summer 2026 — the German brand's first synthetic T-shirt range made entirely without wool.

The deal places Microban's Scentry Revive treatment directly into the fabric during manufacturing. The technology captures and neutralises odour molecules before they settle into the material, and Microban claims its performance lasts for up to 50 domestic washes.

The Sequence Trail Line uses 100% textile-to-textile recycled polyester and a closed-loop recycling concept that turns used textiles into new apparel. Because synthetic fibres retain sweat-related odours more readily than wool, Ortovox treated durable odour control as a core specification for the range rather than a finishing add-on.

Why did Ortovox move away from wool?

Ortovox, founded in 1980 and headquartered near Munich, built its reputation on mountain sports equipment and technical apparel incorporating wool. The Sequence Series breaks with that heritage.

"Because this new collection features our first synthetic T-shirts made entirely without wool, finding a reliable, high-performance odour control solution was critical," said Christian Morgenroth, senior product manager at Ortovox. "We selected Microban because its technology integrates seamlessly into our overall product concept, allowing riders to keep their gear fresher for longer."

What are the compliance credentials?

Scentry Revive has achieved Eco Passport by Oeko-Tex and bluesign certification. Microban also states the technology does not require biocidal registration — a relevant point for suppliers, since biocidal treatments trigger separate regulatory obligations in the EU and other markets.

Microban positions the treatment as reducing persistent sweat-related odours in synthetic garments and lessening the need for frequent washing, potentially extending garment life.

What does this mean for sourcing decisions?

The partnership sits within Ortovox's ProtACT sustainability strategy, which covers climate protection and social responsibility across the brand's supply chain. Both companies argue that reduced washing frequency supports a longer product lifecycle.

"At the core of our partnership with Ortovox is our mutual commitment to advancing innovation in mountain biking apparel," said Shermon McMillan, president at Microban International. "We are proud to partner with Ortovox to give mountain bikers the freedom to worry less, explore more and rely on gear that lasts."

For sourcing teams, the takeaway is concrete. Brands shifting from natural fibres to recycled polyester in performance categories face an odour-retention problem that wool does not present. Fabrics incorporating Scentry Revive arrive with Oeko-Tex Eco Passport and bluesign certification already in place, and without biocidal registration requirements — trimming the compliance workload that alternative antimicrobial finishes can create.