With the further improvement of the national health awareness, the fiber and fabric with antiviral and antibacterial functions have become the popular textile category in the current market, and the industry enterprises are also constantly strengthening the development of new protective products to create new business growth points.

Which materials are effective against bacteria? How is the protection function implemented? On August 18, PERFORMANCE DAYS Shanghai International Functional Textile Exhibition invited consultant Alexa to the "CTIC Fashion Institute" online live platform, from the working principle of new protective materials, protective effects, development programs, etc., brought the "protective new materials and finishing technology introduction" to share. With systematic and scientific analysis, Alexa looked forward to the application prospect and direction of antibacterial and antiviral fibers, and provided innovative development solutions for multi-functional protective products for textile enterprises.

Why is the demand for protective materials expanding?

"When people move around in public, they contaminate our clothes, hands and objects by talking, sneezing and coughing. It's a disaster in healthcare." Alexa said that the virus can remain alive for two days on the textile, in view of the market is still relatively short of antiviral, antibacterial textile equipment and textiles, many textile research institutions and textile companies are studying new technical methods, in order to effectively prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria.

Among them, HeiQ Group's new antiviral textile coating can destroy the viral envelope and bacteria, so that health fabrics have never been coated before, often used in medical equipment coating antimicrobials now have a huge gap in the market demand. Such materials not only have a wide range of applications in the medical field, but also can be used in everyday wear fabrics, so it is rapidly expanding the market demand.

Alexa pointed out that there is a substance derived from peach wood, silvestrol, that can fight pathogens. Research by Arnold Grunweller, a professor of medicinal chemistry at the University of Marburg in Germany, showed that silvestrol caused the concentration of the virus in human cells infected with Ebola to drop so much that the protein of the virus completely disappeared. silvestrol, a natural substance that is non-toxic to human cells, has the potential to prevent multiple types of virus infection, and its broad-spectrum antiviral effect has promising research prospects.

"Antibacterial technologies often contain active silver ingredients that are effective against harmful bacteria and can be successfully applied to a variety of product types." Taking Polyiene's latest Biostatic silver technology as an example, Alexa said that this technology can prevent the growth of odor-producing substances in the material, can be used in the final stage of the fabric production process, and after extensive skin sensitivity testing has shown that it has no side effects on the skin when worn close to the skin, and has broad prospects for the development of clothing fabrics.

How can functional materials achieve long-term protection?

"I'd like to reintroduce some of the ways that natural fibres can be used to kill bacteria and deodorise bacteria, starting with wool." Alexa said that wool has many benefits, is an excellent insulator, is highly absorbent and hydrophobic, can regulate body temperature, moisture absorption and sweat. Wool is also water-resistant, the cuticle of the fiber does not allow water molecules to pass through, so the wool's ability to absorb and awaken water prevents the accumulation of bacteria, while having self-cleaning and neutralizing properties of dirt.

Kapok fiber is a naturally soft silky cellulose fiber with a distinct homogeneity and a hollow tube shape that provides great thermal insulation. Kapok fiber is strong and durable, is a natural low allogeneic fiber, can resist microorganisms and dust; Naturally repels water and inhibits the propagation of mold and bacteria.

Hemp fiber has obvious anti-microbial effect, 15% of hemp and polyester fiber blend can kill 99.9% of bacteria, and cotton blend will completely inhibit the further growth of bacteria. Flax fiber is cool, heat conductive, durable, has excellent moisture absorption properties, resistance to fungi, bacteria, natural deodorant, anti-allergy. Manila hemp itself prevents erosion, is protected from UVA and UVB damage, does not require additional fabric treatment, and the resulting fabric is soft, elastic, very lightweight, and has anti-bacterial, heat-regulating properties.

Among the organic and mineral components, polyester fibers extracted from oyster shells and recycled bottles prevent the growth of bacteria on fabrics, leaving fabrics and clothing smelling fresh and soft to the touch, as well as being naturally insulated and antistatic to keep warm. Activated carbon materials made of wool, coconut, rice husks, food waste and other materials have strong hygroscopicity and can be directly applied to the surface of the fabric or embedded into the fiber in a granular state. Activated carbon material can make clothes comfortable, fresh, odorless. Milk fiber is synthesized from milk raw materials, soft and smooth, with temperature regulating properties, natural antibacterial properties and high hydrophilic and skin-friendly properties. Coffee grounds absorb odors and reflect UV rays, S.Caffe fabric technology Singtex integrates coffee grounds into the surface of polyester yarn, changing filament characteristics and providing up to 200% faster drying time compared to cotton.

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Qingdao Victor New Material Co. Ltd is a professional nonwoven products manufacturer located in Shandong, China.  The factory founded in 2013, specified in nonwoven related products（Nonwoven fabrics, Spunlace, Wipes, Roofing Nonwoven）from nonwoven fabric to finished products.  We have three major product lines, spunbond, meltblown, and spunlace.  Qingdao Victor New Material Co. Ltd offer one stop service from design, manufacturing, packaging, and shipping.