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Safety and protection

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

A fully automatic production line for the production of multi-layered disposable face masks has been launched by PFAFF Industriesysteme und Maschinen GmbH of Kaiserslautern, Germany.

3M of St Paul, Minnesota, USA, has launched an aggressive legal effort to stop those attempting to take advantage of the demand for its products driven by the human coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic.

Smart face masks that could be used to monitor the health of their wearers by gathering data on the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) they emit when they respire are being developed by Myant of Tor

In response to increasing demand for nonwovens for face masks in Europe, Freudenberg Performance Materials is to construct a new meltblowing line at its site in Kaiserslautern, Germany. 

Commercialising, validating and supplying a vital treatment

From the beginnings of the current pandemic in China in late 2019 to the present, our industry has responded swiftly to provide the vital personal protective equipment (PPE) needed by frontline workers and the public. By forming partnerships, increasing production and developing new products, it has contributed significantly to help prevent the uncontrolled spread of the virus responsible. Editor Nick Butler picks the as-yet unfinished story of HeiQ’s commercialisation of a new anti-viral textile treatment as a prime example among many impressive achievements.

In preparation for the re-opening of ice-hockey stadiums in Switzerland, Hockey Club Ambrì-Piotta (HCAP) and HeiQ have unveiled branded, antiviral face masks for the protection of fans.

A single-layer antiviral face mask has been launched by Gorilla Protect, which claims the product's surface eliminates more than 99.99% of the 229E strain of human coronavirus (part of the same fam

Face masks that block 98% of the aerosols emitted by their wearer as they breathe, speak, cough and sneeze are being sold by the Freudenberg Group of Weinheim, Germany. 

Business consultant Frost & Sullivan has lauded Devan Chemicals for its development of a wash-durable antimicrobial finish that can reduce the presence of SARS-Cov-2 on a textile sampl

Masks made from household fabrics – such as those knitted or woven from cotton or blends of polyester (PES) and cotton – effectively block both small and large respiratory droplets that are release

An antimicrobial finish developed by Schutzen Chemical Group has been proven to deactivate 99.9% of human coronavirus 229E (a surrogate for SARS-Cov-2, which is responsible for the human c

A production line for the manufacture of fine-fibre meltblown filtration media for face masks and high-efficiency air-filtration systems is to be installed by Lydall at its facility in Saint-Rivala

In response to the potential dangers posed by air travel during the human coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic, Asiatic Fiber Corp (AFC) has launched a personal-protective-equipment (PPE) kit for use by

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