Safety and protection

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

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.

A pull-handle capable of killing microbes in seconds has been launched for use on doors in public buildings by the Nonwovens Inno

A fibre that changes colour when exposed to elevated temperatures is being developed for the production of safety ropes by researchers in Switzerland.

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

In order to commercialise its range of antimicrobial polyamide (PA) yarns, fibres and fabrics (Acteev Protect⁽¹⁾),

An antimicrobial coating for textiles that can withstand a minimum of 30 laundry cycles has been launched by NordShield of Espoo, Finland. 

A pilot plant for the production of an antimicrobial, silver nanoparticle-based formulation (called NanoFense) for enhancing the performance of filter media is being constructed in Downs, Kansas, U

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

Consistent and reliable ways to test the effectiveness of the cloth face masks used by the public to limit the spread of the SARS-Cov-2 virus responsible for the covid-19 pandemic are bein

An initiative – Mask-Alliance Bavaria – established with the help of Sandler is to start producing FFP2 face masks, which filter at least 94% of airborne particles, following their certification by

A washable, comfortable and antiviral textile has been developed for the manufacture of apparel, workwear and sportswear by Toray of Tokyo, Japan. 

Sciessent has revealed test results that show that its antimicrobial additive (Agion) completely inactivates SARS-Cov-2, the virus responsible for the human coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic

Innovatec is using a newly commissioned meltblowing line from Oerlikon Nonwoven to produce polypropylene (PP) filter media for use in face masks. 

Sandler of Schwarzenbach/Saale, Germany, has welcomed a number of new partners to an initiative it has helped to set-up for the production of face masks.  

A re-usable, medical-grade face mask that will fit all people regardless of their age, sex and ethnicity has been developed by a trio of partners in the UK.   

North Carolina State University (NCSU)’s Nonwovens Institute (NWI) has been awarded a grant of approximately US$400 000 to continue the development of a novel spunbond for use in the production of

A range of fabrics treated with antimicrobial and water-repellent finishes has been launched by Argar Srl of Milan, Italy.

In the wake of the human coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic, Amcor Rigid Packaging (ARP) has started manufacturing disposable general-purpose face masks for sale to its customers. 

A trio of face masks manufactured and sold by AirPop have been recognised for their performance and quality by the British Standards Institution (BSI). 

Radiation Shield Technologies (RST) of Coral Gables, Florida, USA, claims to have developed a body suit that provides effective protection against viruses. 

A system for the recycling of face masks, gloves and other items of personal protective equipment (PPE) has been developed by ReWorked of South Milford, UK.

A waterproof jacket treated with an antiviral and antimicrobial finish proven effective against the strain of coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2) responsible for the covid-19 pandemic has been unveil

Videos that reveal why masks with exhalation valves do not slow the spread of human coronavirus (covid-19) have been created by researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NI

A range of safety products for firefighters, police officers, emergency personnel and other professionals who frequently work in hazardous conditions has been unveiled by Teijin of Tokyo, Japan.

A comfortable and re-usable one-piece medical face mask that can be produced using high-precision air-jet weaving technology is being developed by a consortium in Europe. 

A surgical face mask developed by HanesBrands in partnership with North Carolina State University (NCSU), the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill and UNC Health has been authorised by

A face mask that uses silicon nitride particles to inactivate respiratory viruses is being developed by a producer of the ceramic, Sintx Technologies. 

A range of re-usable, general-purpose face masks made from Ascend Performance Materials (APM)’s Acteev Protect range of antibacter

Knitted gloves that demonstrate antibacterial properties have been launched by GHS Holdings of Bethel, Connecticut, USA. 

A washable, single-layer face mask made entirely from polyamide (PA) quickly eliminates 99.9% of the bacteria and viruses with which it comes into contact, according to its manufacturer, zwissTEX. 

A face mask featuring a durable treatment of zinc oxide nanoparticles that provides effective protection from SARS-Cov-2 is to be launched in the UK by Sonovia. 

An additive for textiles and coatings has been shown to be highly effective against enveloped viruses, such as SARS-Cov-2, in independent testing.

Essity of Stockholm, Sweden, is to begin selling face masks through its retail and professional hygiene businesses. 

While short-term demand for surgical masks remains unprecedented owing to the human coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic, growing awareness of their effectiveness will lead to steady sales growth in the

Solvay Group of Brussels, Belgium, has launched an antiviral and antibacterial polyamide (PA) yarn.

In a short space of time, three companies have developed the technologies and established the infrastructure necessary for the production of face masks, the authenticity of which can be quickly con