201 Tekstilec, 2018, 61(3), 201-220 DOI: 10.14502/Tekstilec2018.61.201-220 Corresponding author/Korespondenčna avtorica: Prof dr. Barbara Simončič E-mail: barbara.simoncic@ntf.uni-lj.si 1 Introduction Ultraviolet (UV) protection fnishes, which are sometimes referred to as UV shielding agents, rep- resent one of the most important groups of chemi- cal fnishing agents applied to textile materials, with the goal of protecting people and textile materials from the harmful efects of UV radiation. Te ener- gy of UV radiation, which is signifcantly higher than that of visible light, has the potential to initiate diferent chemical reactions that may be hazardous to human health and can deteriorate textile fbres. Although moderate sun exposure has benefcial health efects, overexposure to UV radiation may result in serious harmful health efects since both UVA (320–400 nm) and UVB (280–320 nm) rays induce diferent cellular responses that manifest as pigmentation, sunburn, skin ageing, skin cancer and DNA damage [1‒3]. Te disadvantages of long- term exposure of textiles to UV weathering are as- sociated with the cleavage of diferent chemical bonds by the absorbed UV radiation, which leads to Zala Mavrić, Brigita Tomšič, Barbara Simončič University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering, Aškerčeva 12, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia Recent Advances in the Ultraviolet Protection Finishing of Textiles Najsodobnejši izsledki na področju plemenitenja tekstilij za zaščito pred ultravijoličnim sevanjem Scientifc Review/Pregledni znanstveni članek Received/ Prispelo 09-2018 • Accepted/ Sprejeto 09-2018 Abstract This paper reviews the recent research in the field of application of ultraviolet (UV) protection finishes in tex- tile functionalisation. The aim and the UV protecting mechanisms of UV protection finishes on textile substrates are described. The standard methods for determination of UV protective properties are presented. Contempo- rary research directions in the application of environmentally friendly organic UV absorbers and inorganic UV blockers are highlighted and discussed. The bioactive substances as novel organic UV absorbers are exposed. Novel multifunctional properties of textiles including the inorganic UV blockers are described. The ecological issues of the use of UV protection finishes are presented. Keywords: textiles, UV protection, inorganic nanoparticles, plant extracts, multifunctional properties, ecolog- ical issues Izvleček Prispevek vključuje pregled najsodobnejših raziskav na področju uporabe apreturnih sredstev za zaščito pred ultra- vijoličnim (UV) sevanjem (UV-zaščitna sredstva) pri funkcionalizaciji tekstilij. Opisani so namen in mehanizmi de- lovanja UV-zaščitnih sredstev na tekstilnih substratih. Predstavljene so standardne metode za določitev UV-zaščit- nih lastnosti. Izpostavljene so najsodobnejše raziskovalne usmeritve na področjih uporabe organskih UV-absorberjev in anorganskih UV-blokirnih sredstev. Izpostavljene so bioaktivne substance kot novi okolju prijazni organski UV-absorberji. Opisane so večfunkcionalne lastnosti tekstilij z vključenimi anorganskimi UV-blokirnimi sredstvi. Predstavljeni so ekološki vidiki uporabe UV-zaščitnih sredstev. Ključne besede: tekstilije, UV-zaščita, ekstrakti rastlin, anorganski nanodelci, večfunkcionalne lastnosti, ekološki vidik