Knitting Trade Journal Colombo - Sri Lanka's leading circular knitters are using their technological and expertise to help the fight against the corona virus pandemic. And all of them are using Santoni's knitting technology.

South Asia Textiles, which specializes in producing high quality weft knitted fabric for leading brands across the globe and Switzerland's HeiQ Materials, are collaborating to produce a specially treated fabric to be used for masks exported to the USA.

South Asia Textiles’ knitted jersey fabric combined with HeiQ’s recently launched anti-viral and anti-microbial agent, HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03 was commissioned by a high-quality US brand working in close collaboration with partners in the US.

Announcing the partnership, Mr Prithiv Dorai, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, South Asia Textiles Limited said: “We are excited about the partnership with HeiQ and are hopeful that we can positively contribute towards the need of the situation. Our versatility and the ability to manufacture new technology enabled material within a short span of time is our key strength. The fact that we were nominated and selected for this project is a testament to consistency and superior quality standards that we maintain at South Asia Textiles”.

Viroblock NPJ03 is an antiviral and antimicrobial textile treatment which has tested effective against human coronavirus when used in face masks.

The tests proved the treatment significantly improves the antiviral log reduction of 2.90 for untreated face masks to 4.48 – an over 99.99% reduction of virus infectivity (a log reduction of 2 is equivalent to 100 times the effectiveness).

HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03 is a unique combination of vesicle and silver technologies designed to inhibit the growth and persistence of bacteria and viruses. The HeiQ vesicle technology targets lipid-enveloped viruses, such as coronavirus, providing rapid virus deactivation, while the HeiQ silver technology inhibits the replication of both bacteria and viruses. HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03 can be applied to a wide spectrum of textile surfaces including face masks, air filters, medical gowns, curtains, drapes etc.

Both 229E and Covid-19 are two of seven types of human coronaviruses. Besides testing on human coronavirus (229E), HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03 also demonstrates dramatically improved reduction of virus infectivity against influenza types H1N1, H5N1, H7N9, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Elsewhere, Hayleys and Teejay Lanka are also produce masks and other PPE to help meet rising PPE demand.