covid-19 pandemic

Recycled items of personal protective equipment (PPE) – including face masks and gowns – are being used to improve the mechanical properties of concrete by researchers at RMIT University in Melbour

A method for producing self-sanitising face masks is being developed by researchers at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, USA. 

Disinfection methods based on the use of ultraviolet (UV) radiation have little impact on the form or function of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as N95 face masks⁽¹⁾, accordin

A range of antiviral technologies that can be applied to textiles and incorporated into fibres has been launched by Microban International of Huntersville, North Carolina, USA. 

Through extensive experiments and analysis, researchers at Rice University in Houston, Texas, USA, have shown that disposable face masks can be decontaminated by heating them at approximately 70°C

Standards that enable manufacturers of general-purpose face coverings to provide consistent products and inspire confidence in their customers have been launched by the American Association of Text

Well-ventilated buildings and tight-fitting face masks will be essential to control the human coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic as variants of the SARS Cov-2 virus evolve to spread more effi

A waterborne coating that completely inactivates SARS Cov-2 – the virus responsible for the human coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic – and could be applied to face masks has been developed by

A fabric made of polyamide (PA) 6.6 fibres embedded with active zinc ions absorbs virus-containing moisture droplets and effectively inactivates 99% of virus particles – including the SARS Cov-

Developer of bio-based antimicrobial coatings for textiles, NordShield of Espoo, Finland, has secured investments totalling more than €4.2 million in its latest financing round, which concluded on

The Biden Administration has awarded a contract worth US$6.5 million for the supply of polyester (PES)-tipped swabs for home- and mass-testing kits, which are used in the fight against the human co

A three-dimensionally (3D) knitted antimicrobial face mask that can filter particles of 3 µm and above in size from the air has been launched by SP Science Ltd of Bury, UK. 

A pilot project to demonstrate the feasibility of a closed-loop system for the recycling of single-use face masks has been undertaken by the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety, and Ener

Materials and methods that reduce the environmental impact of the production of face masks have been showcased by Indorama Ventures (IVL), DyeCoo and Stoll through the Easy Mask project.

Producer of needled nonwovens, NOWOtex GmbH & Co KG, can now manufacture polypropylene (PP) filter media for face masks following the commissioning of a meltblowing line at its facility in Eich

The US Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has passed legislation that will require federal agencies to issue long-term contracts to US manufacturers of personal protective

A manufacturer of seating for mass-transportation applications, Franz Kiel GmbH, will use a long-lasting surface treatment capable of killing the virus (SARS-Cov-2) responsible for the hum

A surgical mask coated with a thin layer of copper that rapidly deactivates bacteria and viruses – including the SARS-Cov-2 virus responsible for the human coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic

With a global market worth US$51 862 million in 2021, the nonwovens industry faired reasonably well during the human coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic, supplying critical products such as face masks

A general-purpose face mask (Work Week) made from a bicomponent spunbond (Captur) has been launched by Aries of Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.

A self-sanitising glove designed to help prevent viruses and bacteria being transmitted through touch has been launched by uvex Safety Ltd of Farnham, UK.

Partners in Germany have transformed a luxury coach into a mobile testing and vaccination centre, which is fitted with an air-purification system from Mann+Hummel that can filter viruses from the a

A law requiring hospitals to create and maintain a three-month stockpile of N95 face masks, gowns and other items of personal protective equipment (PPE) has been implemented in California, USA.

Two of the leading associations representing the nonwovens industry have reported on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on this sector.

The Biden Administration has awarded a pair of contracts for the manufacture of over 17 million re-usable face masks, for use in community health centres, food pantries and soup kitchens across the

An antimicrobial spunbond–meltblown–spunbond (SMS) filtration media suitable for the production of face masks has been launched by HeiQ's newly established Advanced Filtration Media business unit.

Self-sanitising textile signage for use in such as shops and showrooms has been launched by Marler Haley of Wellingborough, UK.

A plasma-based method for the decontamination of single-use face masks – which could enable them to be re-used –  is being developed by researchers at the University of Southampton in the UK.

A nanocoating that enables air filters to capture airborne or aerosolised droplets of liquid containing SARS-Cov-2, without inhibiting the flow of air through them, is now being used by su

A washable, comfortable and antiviral polyester (PES) textile from Toray Industries of Tokyo, Japan, has been proven effective against the SARS-Cov-2 virus responsible for the human corona

One of the UK's largest retailers, Worksop-based Wilko, has launched a scheme for the collection and recycling of single-use face masks. 

Lines for the manufacture of meltblown fabrics and their conversion into face masks have been started-up by packaging and paper manufacturer Mondi at its site in Gronau, Germany.

A fully automated line able to produce up to 50 000 face masks a day has been launched by Autefa Solutions of Friedberg, Germany.

Viruses similar to the SARS-Cov-2 strain responsible for the human coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic can survive on clothing and migrate to other surfaces for up to 72 hours after first cont

Automotive filtration specialist A.L.

Copper nanoparticles could be used to create coatings capable of inactivating the SARS-Cov-2 virus responsible for the human coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic, according to a team of researc

A range of soft and comfortable fabrics for the manufacture of face masks has been launched by Ahlstrom-Munksjö of Helsinki, Finland.

The developer of a base layer produced from a durable, non-shedding antimicrobial fabric of continuous polyamide (PA) filaments has been presented with an ISPO Textrends Award.

A double-beam plant – together with an electrocharging unit – for the production of meltblown nonwovens has been installed at Wolf PVG GmbH & Co KG by Oerlikon Nonwoven.

A robot that can mimic coughing, sneezing and breathing is being used by researchers in Finland to determine the effectiveness of face masks and air-purification systems, and to verify the accuracy

A short course introducing the technical aspects of the web-forming processes used for the production of meltblown and spunbond nonwovens – used for the manufacture of such as face masks – has been

Face masks made from antimicrobial polyamide (PA) fabrics developed by Ascend Performance Materials (APM) are to be sold on a website set-up by importer and distributor of industrial raw materials

Following close consultation with its customers, Messe Frankfurt of Germany has postponed the trade fairs it had originally planned for April and May 2021—including Heimtextil, Techtex

A range of seamless garments – including base layers, leggings, tops, sweaters, gloves and helmet liners – warp-knitted from an antimicrobial polyamide (PA) yarn has been launched by CIFRA of Veran

In response to the ongoing human coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic, RadiciGroup of Gandino, Italy, has invested €15 million in a new line for the production of meltblown nonwovens.

The global market for re-usable face masks will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.5% to be worth US$7.08 billion by 2027, according to a recent report⁽¹⁾ from Grand Vi

Global manufacturer of healthcare, hospitality and consumer products, Standard Textile, is working with Cleveland Clinic to produce a comfortable and re-usable cotton face mask for general-purpose

The Professional Clothing Industry Association Worldwide (PCIAW) and the Textiles Services Association (TSA) are to work together to promote the benefits of re-usable gowns for use in medical setti

Researchers at Empa in St. Gallen, Switzerland, are using life-cycle analysis (LCA) in an attempt to gauge the impact that the increasing use of face masks is having on the environment. 

A battery-powered, self-sterilising smart fabric that inactivates 99.99% of bacteria and viruses within minutes of them coming into contact with it has been unveiled by Osmotex AG of Thalwil, Switz