HeiQ Viroblock successfully test fabric against SARS-CoV-2

08 Jun '20

3 min read

Pic: HeiQ

HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03, a Swiss textile technology, is among the first textile technologies in the world to be proven effective against SARS-CoV-2 in the laboratory. Tests conducted by HeiQ with the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in Melbourne, Australia have shown that treated fabric achieved 99.99 per cent reduction of the virus.

HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03 is a textile treatment for industrial use, designed to provide textiles with antiviral and antibacterial properties. The combination of silver antimicrobial technology and vesicle technology rapidly destroys enveloped viruses including coronaviruses. HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03 treated fabrics have been tested according to ISO18184 with different enveloped viruses. It has previously been tested against coronavirus 229E, another strain of virus in the Coronavirus family in face mask testing.

The latest testing with SARS-CoV-2 virus was conducted by researchers at the Doherty Institute, a joint venture between the University of Melbourne and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, an internationally renowned institution combining research, teaching, public health and reference laboratory services, diagnostic services and clinical care into infectious diseases and immunity.

The research project involved a disinfection test protocol that simulated the real-life interaction of small aerosol droplets contaminating clothing. A known concentration of SARS-CoV-2 virus was contacted with the sample fabric for 30 minutes followed by measurement of remaining infectious SARS-CoV-2 viruses.

The fabric sample treated with HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03 had no infective viruses left after 30 minutes. The result indicated a SARS-CoV-2 virus reduction of 99.99 per cent relative to the inoculum control.

“The confirmation of antiviral activity of HeiQ Viroblock against SARS-CoV-2 is an important milestone. This data forms part of our ongoing efforts to help provide textiles with greater levels of protection against viruses and contribute to efforts towards mitigation of the global pandemic,” Carlo Centonze, Swiss co-founder and chief executive officer of HeiQ Group, said in a press release.

“HeiQ appreciates the work of the Doherty Institute in conducting these tests and the tremendous efforts of their researchers in contributing to the global understanding of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Australian Dr Murray Height, co-founder and chief science officer of HeiQ Group, said.

“A key part of the Institute’s current Covid-19 research focus is on testing different ways to achieve an antiviral effect against the SARS-CoV-2 virus,” Dr Julie McAuley, senior research officer at the Doherty Institute, said in the release.

Testing the action of different disinfectants and surface treatments is one way that our research can help provide insights towards helping to stop the pandemic.”

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (JL)

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