Think zinc
Dr Vikram Gopal, chief technology officer of Ascend Performance Materials.
The chief technology officer of Ascend Performance Materials, Dr Vikram Gopal, has broad experience in the advanced materials industry. He explains here that the combination of polyamide 66 and zinc ions that Ascend has developed in its Acteev technology platform has proved effective in deactivating virus particles.
What’s the best way to explain the benefits of polyamide compared to other synthetic fibres?
Polyamide 66 began its life as a replacement for silk fibres in women’s stockings. Its high tensile strength and abrasion resistance mean it can be spun into thin fibres and woven into lightweight fabric, and still perform exceptionally well against daily wear and tear. It’s wash-fast through 100 washes, it’s easily laundered with minimal pilling and it retains superior colour-fastness.
What led Ascend to consider zinc as the basis of antimicrobial and antiviral technologies?
One of our customers was looking for a high-use, anti-odour fibre. When we looked at the market for odour-resistance, much of what was available were topical treatments that lose their efficacy. Because of our fully integrated manufacturing, we had the ability to embed the antimicrobial and odour-resistance technologies within the polymer matrix, effectively locking it in place for the life of the fibre. We considered zinc because it’s safer for the environment. Unlike the most commonly used antimicrobial agent, silver, zinc oxide is generally recognised as safe by the US Food and Drug Administration and does not have any harmful effect on the environment or on human health.
Could the world have made better use of textile technology in general in its fight against covid-19?
Given what we know about covid-19 today with regard to masks, PPE and how the virus is transmitted, yes, the world could have made better use of textile technology to fight the pandemic. So we have to prepare for the next one. That will require people to be more comfortable wearing masks in public, especially if they are exhibiting symptoms of illness. To do that, you need comfortable masks that work. It may also require antimicrobials to be more prevalent in day-to-day life, even in ways that people don’t necessarily notice. In terms of fabrics, there are a lot of opportunities in transportation, apparel, PPE and accessories. If bus, train or taxi seats are covered in antimicrobial fabric, you can potentially reduce the likelihood that an infection is transmitted by contact on public transportation. If people’s garments are antimicrobial, sanitising one’s hands could be as simple as wiping them on a shirt or putting them in a pocket. But even if we are not responding to a pandemic, there is a lot to be said for textiles that inhibit the growth of odour-causing bacteria and fungi. Those textiles last longer and are likely to be worn or used longer. They may also reduce the need for frequent washing, which would save water.
How exactly does Ascend’s Acteev technology platform work in combatting covid-19?
Acteev combines zinc ion technology with polyamide-based woven, nonwoven and knit fabrics and yarns. The active zinc ions are embedded into the polymer matrix, providing a long-lasting solution that does not wash away, unlike topical finishes or coatings, and it doesn’t use large amounts of water and energy, or generate the waste that many silver-based applications do. The technology has been in development for several years, but with the shortage of articles resistant to microbial growth, Ascend accelerated the product launch by partnering with independent labs for testing and reallocating resources to scale up production. We quickly launched a line of face masks, but our ultimate goal is to partner with brands and manufacturers to expand Acteev’s availability. We see an Acteev world with Ascend working with other innovators who want to use our technology to create new and improved versions of everything from surgical masks and N95 respirators to athleisure and personal-care products.
What did you learn from the tests on Acteev-enhanced knitted fabric at the University of Cambridge?
Zinc has long been known for having antimicrobial properties and, in this study, an international team of scientists systematically tested how well a fabric made of polyamide 66 embedded with active zinc ions compared to other synthetics and to cotton at absorbing and deactivating virus particles. In this study, the fabric produced a 2-log, or 99%, reduction of virus particles after one hour. Deactivation of the virus began instantly, with most deactivation occurring between 30 seconds and five minutes. The paper is available for comment on the biology preprint server bioRxiv. There is more work to be done in the area, but these initial results are very promising when it comes to the development of self-cleaning materials.
What is The S Group and how will your alliance help put Acteev into garment collections? What is The S Group saying to its customers about Acteev?
The S Group offers complete supply chain management for apparel brands, including product development, manufacturing, logistics, quality assurance, packaging and order fulfilment. They’ve worked with some of the world’s most recognised brands: Lululemon, New Balance, Mack Weldon and more. Their expertise combined with our high-performance fabric and yarn allows us to very quickly bring to market athleisure, performance, scrubs, and seamless products such as intimates, leggings, active wear, socks and gaiters. Acteev Protect gives their customers a combination of confidence that their products will be safeguarded against odour-producing bacteria and microbes and the design freedom they need. Acteev can work in pastels, bright solids and dark colours. There’s no post-finishing step required, so seamless garments are ready after knitting. And it can be used in virtually any application.
All Credits: Ascend
