UK based Carrington Textiles has successfully obtained the ISO 18184:2019 ‘Determination of antiviral activity of textile product’ certification for its new Antiviral and Antibacterial Finish for fabrics, a strategic shift in the company’s R&D efforts to respond to the market’s needs in a new COVID-19 world, where employees in all sectors including healthcare, construction, hospitality, armed forces and heavy industry need to be better protected than ever.

The textiles manufacturer ran trials on its main scrub suit poly-cotton fabric, Alba 2, using the Sanitized branded treatment that harnesses the natural antiviral and antibacterial properties of silver.

After weeks of testing at an independent laboratory in the UK by using an enveloped virus, the results show an effectiveness rating of over 99% of the antiviral properties of the fabric which deactivates viruses in two hours. Even after 50 washes at 60 degrees 98% of viruses have shown to be deactivated, meaning the protective properties of the textile will last the lifetime of the garment, Carrington said in a statement this morning.

This newly tested finish delivers an antiviral fabric that is not only safe for use on face coverings, medical wear, and a wide range of workwear, but also environmentally friendly garments that -due to its best-in-class launderability and long-lasting properties- will help reduce the amount of disposable PPE that ends up in landfill, the company adds.

How does it work?

Carrington explains: “The porous nature of textiles means that viruses and bacteria can be trapped within the fabric structure, which possibly lowers the risk of the viruses being transferred. However, they will still remain viable and bacteria may also replicate within the fabric leading to unpleasant odours, amongst other things.”

“This revolutionary Antiviral and Antibacterial Finish by Carrington Textiles is suitable to use on any woven fabric and works as a coating that is pressed then ‘baked’ into the fabric using specialised machines at the end of the manufacturing process.”

“This Antiviral Finish works as a barrier and any viruses which get trapped in the fabric structure will be deactivated and rendered harmless before they get chance to infect a host cell,” Carrington adds.

“This treatment kills bacteria the same way, with the added benefit to working as a ‘built-in deodorant’ as due to its advanced technology protects against unwanted bacteria that causes unpleasant odour.”

Sales Director Paul Farrell comments: “Our R&D efforts to innovate and respond to the market’s needs has allowed us to have a finish available that is able to deactivate enveloped viruses and kill bacteria using technologies that are not only safe and comfortable to wear, but also offer excellent launderability benefits without compromising performance.”

One of Europe’s largest textile suppliers to the workwear market with bases in the UK, mainland Europe and Asia, Carrington Textiles supports many of the world’s largest employers – spanning sectors from heavy industry to health. Formed in Lancashire, UK, in 1891, the company continues to lead the industry in personal protective equipment. Carrington Textiles’ current product range includes sustainable, workwear, flame retardant, waterproof and defence fabrics, with properties that include anti-viral, antistatic, high visibility, water repellency as well as protection against chemical splash, electric arc and ultraviolet radiation.

Operating in 81 countries and with an international network of sales representatives, customers include: NHS, McDonalds, BUPA, TATA Steel, Shell, Coca Cola, Airbus, Jaguar Land Rover, BP, Arcelor Mittal.

www.carrington.co.uk