A new antimicrobial solution for PPE and sanitary products

Technical Textiles Technology

Parx Materials’ technology prevents bacteria and viruses without biocides

Antimicrobial additive start-up, Parx Materials has successfully developed a new polypropylene (PP) non-woven material that resists bacteria. The latest test results show that the material is effective against strains of E.coli, Staphylococcus and Candida Albicans, achieving a Class AAA rating for use in medical masks, protective gowns, diapers or other sanitary products.

The antimicrobial non-woven material is made with polypropylene via the spunbond production method in which woven materials are manufactured in one continuous process. Using Parx Materials’ Saniconcentrate™ technology, the material prevents bacteria and viruses from surviving without toxic biocides or leaching.

The new material will enable textile manufacturers to take advantage of antimicrobial effects without harming humans or the environment — an essential progression as the world demands increasing levels of hygiene for both personal protection equipment (PPE) and personal goods.

To prove the non-woven material’s effectiveness against bacteria, efficacy tests in line with antibacterial knitwear standards were carried out by SGS-CSTC Standards Technical Services (Shanghai). Before the tests took place, the material was washed 50 times.

The test report shows that, after 18 hours, Parx Materials’ non-woven sample had an efficacy of 90 per cent against Candida Albicans, 99 per cent against E.coli and greater than 99 per cent against Staphylococcus Aureaus. An outstanding result proving the material’s efficacy and longevity.

Tests carried out on the non-woven material also included a disk diffusion test. This is a test of the product’s safety, measuring how much the antimicrobial effect migrates from the material after one wash. The sample material was placed in agar jelly and after 18 hours for E.coli and Staphylococcus and 48 hours for Candida, there was no bacteria-free halo surrounding the material.

This result far surpasses the safety requirement of a diameter less than or equal to five millimetres. It proves, unlike most existing antimicrobial materials, there is no migration from Parx Material’s technology — better for humans, the environment and preventing bacterial resistance.

Following the test results, the non-woven fabric has received the Class AAA antibacterial textile rating, the highest possible rating, in in line with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) FZ/T 73023-2006 antibacterial knitwear standard.

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