If you’re a freelancer, there’s a good chance you’ve experienced the benefits of working from home in some capacity. Now there’s a new product that will help you maintain the condition of your favorite pieces of outdoor furniture whether you’re working or just relaxing in the sun.

According to Plastics and Rubber Weekly, Nexeo Solutions, a U.S.-based plastics producer, has teamed up with two foreign businesses to create a new biocompatible, skin-safe product that will protect and treat bacteria and fungi growth on outdoor furniture. The other two companies are Ramfil, an Italian textile producer and outdoor furniture manufacturer, and Parx Plastics, an antimicrobial plastics supplier.

“Our customer had a quality challenge that was the perfect field for Nexeo to bring added value by offering an innovative solution,” said Paolo Bortolli, commercial manager Italy at Nexeo Solutions. “The technical expertise and coordination capabilities have been key to the success of this project, however teaming up with our customer and supplier to assess from the concept solution, the testing phase to the materialisation of the project has been Nexeo’s fundamental contribution to this disruptive innovative result.”

With the spring season right around the corner, there’s no doubt many freelancers will seize the opportunity to work outside. It’s one of the reasons many people enjoy the freedom and flexibility of this craft. This new technology can be applied to textiles such as beach chairs, umbrellas, and cushions and will protect them from bacteria and fungus growth.

Outdoor furniture has recently become one of the hottest trends in the home decor industry. It was worth over $4 billion in 2013, and 84% of households said they planned to purchase more in 2015.

Unfortunately, unless you constantly move it in and outside the sun, wind, rain, and other outdoor elements will take its toll. This new product could be a game-changer in that aspect.

“This is the first disruptive innovation of our industry after 40 years,” said Arturo Cocco, technical director at Ramfi. “We are confident this application provides a significant step change on the quality and durability of our products besides reinforcing our high regard to Eco friendly products.”