Polygiene ponders antiviral 'confusion'
“It is just four months since we launched ViralOff and I have never seen anything like it,” said Mats Georgson.
“We are already treating things from gloves to scarves to wool for premium suits as well as jeans for Diesel, as well as personal accessories for Fossil. ViralOff went from a niche thing for facemasks and scrubs to a widespread and recognized brand in just a few months.”
But he warned against some companies’ claims that to have tested “effect on COVID-19” as covid is the disease, while SARS-Cov2 is the virus, adding: “We have yet to find one commercial lab that keeps, and tests on, SARS-Cov2.”
“You see, the whole thing is about earning the right to call yourself antiviral in the market. On textiles, the standard is by passing the ISO18184:2019 test and we make every application to do just that. The ISO test uses Influenza A viruses to represent other viruses, as they are tough, enveloped and therefore harder to kill. If you reduce the number of them in the test, you earn the right to call yourself antiviral in the market. (Antimicrobial in the US, when talking about treated articles.) Read claims carefully!
“But then again when it comes to washability there is another switch – suddenly talking about antibacterial effect rather than the ISO tested effect. So, watch out for washability claims on multiple washes, it is almost certain that an antibacterial test has been performed if it is for 20+ washes, I have yet to see washability of 30+ for antiviral effect, other than by mistake!”
He adds that the tie-up with Diesel could result in jeans that don’t need to be washed, which helps with sustainability in that there will be no need for water and energy use and the jeans last longer.
“The external scare factor of virus contamination leads to more awareness of hygiene. More awareness of hygiene should lead to more washing – but we can turn it to less washing. Less washing is the ultimate benefit as there is less wear and tear, prolongs product life and freshness means products can be kept in circulation and in the second-hand market,” he added.
