Research on antiviral textiles has received considerable attention due to the continuous global emergence of new infectious diseases. In recent years, researchers have studied various antiviral materials that can prevent the spread and reproduction of viruses by eliminating and reducing their attachment. This finish thus provides greater protection to users and also to those around them.
The key element in developing an antiviral finish is to increase the contact angle between the droplet (where the viruses normally are) and the surface where that droplet falls. The higher the contact angle, the higher the antiviral capacity of the finish. To increase the contact angle one can for example increase the roughness of the finish.
Antiviral finishing using metallic elements such as silver, zinc and copper has been extensively studied and tested:
In a typical viral infection:
Metallic elements can interfere with steps 1), 2) and 4) in order to interrupt the infection cycle. The disadvantage of this technology is the release of the metal ions, including when washing, which makes this technology less environmentally friendly.
Robust, standardised and reproducible testing is crucial to make sound, science‐based comparisons so that progress can continue to be made.
All the suppliers we approached guarantee and prove the elaboration of studies and certifications attesting to antiviral efficacy. In one of these studies, the fabrics were tested according to ISO 18184:2019, a standard test to determine the antiviral activity in textile products after a period of two hours, requiring a 99% reduction in viral load to prove its effectiveness.
Applications:
Hospital or healthcare workers, workers in busy public spaces (decrease cross‐infection).
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UNIFARDAS® supports Espaço T, which is an inclusive organisation, of all and for all, and our common goal is to increase employment opportunities for young people with special needs and/or who, for some reason, have been excluded from the labour market.
We work hard to provide safe working conditions by going beyond the imposed and mandatory minimums.
We support, nurture and offer continuous training programmes aimed at improving skills.
At UNIFARDAS® we keep up to date with the latest technologies and innovations that can optimise our production process making it more efficient and close to zero waste.
UNIFARDAS® is a partner of Espaço T, an inclusive organisation, of all and for all, with the common goal of increasing employment opportunities for young people with special needs and/or who, for some reason, have been excluded from the labour market. In this organisation, immigrants will also find a support network in finding work and housing.
In addition to the sustainable path we have been taking throughout our production and supply chain, UNIFARDAS® participates, supports and organises a beach clean-up every year after the bathing season, in partnership with World Clean-up Day. We are also partners of Seaqual, an entity that, together with some other partners, promotes the collection of ocean waste and its transformation into upcycled marine plastic that will then be used in the production of fabric and other sustainable products.
In addition to the sustainable path we have been taking throughout our production and supply chain, UNIFARDAS® participates, supports and organises a beach clean-up every year after the bathing season, in partnership with World Clean-up Day. We are also partners of Seaqual, an entity that, together with some other partners, promotes the collection of ocean waste and its transformation into upcycled marine plastic that will then be used in the production of fabric and other sustainable products.
