Safety and protection

Wearable biosensors that can be customised to detect the presence of pathogens – such as the SARS Cov-2 virus responsible for the human coronavirus (covid 19) pandemic – and toxins, and al

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

A range of antimicrobial polyamide (PA) fabrics that are elastic, soft to the touch and comfortable to wear has been launched by Maglificio Ripa of Spino d'Adda, Italy. 

The US Senate's passage of the Innovation and Competition Act (USICA)

A highly breathable fabric developed by Toray Industries for the production of disposable personal protective clothing has been proven in testing to reduce the chance of its wearer suffering from h

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

Antimicrobial surface wipes made from natural, biodegradable fibres and supplied in recyclable packaging have been launched by Aero Healthcare UK of Horsham. 

An antimicrobial spray that can be applied to textile products such as face masks has been launched by Bio-Gate AG of Nuremberg and Bremen, Germany.

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 pilot line for the development of meltblown nonwovens has been installed at the Nonwoven Innovation & Research Institute (NIRI) in Leeds, UK, where it will be used for sampling, prototyping a

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

Sintx Technologies reports that it has filed numerous applications for US and international patents to protect its silicon nitride-based technologies, including antimicrobial coatings

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

A laboratory dedicated to the development of masterbatches for the production of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) is being constructed in Guangzhou, China, by polymer manufacturer Avient and

An antimicrobial biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) laminating film inactivates and inhibits the proliferation of the SARS-Cov-2 virus responsible for the human coronavirus (covid-19)

A soft-armour vest made primarily from Royal DSM's unidirectional (UD) ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE, Dyneema) is to be supplied to Sao Paulo police by MKU Ltd.   

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.

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

Natural leather treated with an antimicrobial finish has been launched for use in the aviation, bus, coach and rail sectors by Muirhead of Glasgow, UK.

Flammability in Textiles and Polymers is the latest addition to in the Digital Labs series of educational online events being organised by the American Association of Textile Chemists and

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.

Finnish producer of nonwovens, Ahlstrom-Munksjö, has worked with Italian filter manufacturer Virgis Filters Spa to develop high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters for systems produced by Web

Fabrics made from fibres coated with particles of silicon nitride inactivate SARS-Cov-2, the virus responsible for the human coronavirus pandemic, shortly after contact, according to the m

Nonwovens Ibérica has installed the first line for the production of meltblown nonwovens in Spain at its facility in Muro de Alcoy, where it also has its headquarters.

A face mask coated with particles of silicon nitride that inactivate respiratory viruses could be launched later in 2021 following the signing of a licensing agreement between the producer of the p

Durable, antimicrobial finishes can be applied to textiles using an ultrasound-based technology being commercialised by Sonovia, Brückner Textile Technologies and Weber Ultrasonics.

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.

Freudenberg Performance Materials has received 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for disposable surgical face masks it produces in Durham, North Carolina, USA.

A family of self-sterilising polymers that are effective at inactivating coronaviruses, including SARS-Cov-2 – the virus responsible for the human coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic – has bee

An antimicrobial finish developed by HeiQ can be applied to fabrics during washing now that the company has formed a partnership with a provider of industrial laundry services, Girbau.

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.

Re-usable, water-repellent coveralls designed to be worn in cleanrooms could serve as protective clothing for medical personnel, according to research undertaken by Krüss GmbH of Hamburg, Germany.

A colour-changing strip that, when mounted to a face mask, could be used to detect the presence of the SARS-Cov-2 virus responsible for the human coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic in the wea

A range of ballistic body panels made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibres is – for its level of performance – the thinnest and lightest currently available, say its US dev

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

US companies Microban International and Manchester Mills have expanded a partnership established initially to produce and sell antimicrobial textiles for the healthcare industry to include the hosp

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