HeiQ Viroblock certified as cosmetic grade & renewable
July 02, 2020 - Switzerland
HeiQ’s antiviral textile technology, HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03, has been certified as safe and sustainable as all its ingredients are cosmetic grade, bio-based and recycled. HeiQ has launched the antiviral and antibacterial textile treatment proven to reduce 99.99 per cent of human coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, along with other viruses.
Viruses and bacteria can remain infective on textile surfaces for days. Human Coronavirus SARS-CoV persist for up to two days on surgical gowns at room temperature. Antiviral treatments for textiles contribute to more hygienic and safer textile products and can help mitigate the risk of contamination and transmission. While the global textile industry is rapidly adopting antiviral textile treatments to bring antiviral masks, clothes and home fabrics to the market, it is important to consider the profile of different technologies including questions of toxicity, safety, antimicrobial resistance, and wastewater treatment.
The HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03 is a formulation that contains a minute amount of recycled silver active ingredient and fatty liposome vesicle components. It is EU REACH and US FIFRA compliant, Oeko Tex certified, ZDHC, and Bluesign homologised. Treated textile articles are compliant with EU BPR and US EPA. HeiQ Viroblock respirator masks with antibacterial and antiviral surface have been registered as medical device by Swiss medic and approved by US FDA, the company said in a press release.
“Since HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03 was designed for use on face masks to impart enhanced protection against viruses and bacteria, we selected only the most effective, safest and most sustainable ingredients. Furthermore, we are proud that HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03 qualifies as a bio-based renewable product and is 100 per cent made from INCI approved cosmetic ingredients,” Carlo Centonze, co-founder and chief executive officer of HeiQ said.
Beta analytics testing laboratory has certified that HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03 contains 72 per cent bio-based carbon. Test results are accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2005 Testing Accreditation PJLA #59423 standards. HeiQ Viroblock NPJO3 is currently undergoing homologation for the USDA bio-preferred certification. Specialities S.R.L (Italy), a surface chemistry research and development company, has also confirmed that all ingredients of HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03 are selected from the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI).
“HeiQ is grounded in the pursuit of innovation that helps to bring a positive benefit to the World. Designing products with safe and sustainable components, such as the HeiQ Viroblock technology, is central to that mission,” Murray Height, co-founder and chief science officer of HeiQ said.