Manufacturers are putting considerable effort behind developing antibacterial and antiviral yarns and chemicals alike, and for good reason. Covid-19 has pushed the fashion industry to prioritize safe apparel that will help consumers ward off various pathogens as the world tries to resume normal life.
In line with the need to ensure shopper safety, US Denim Mills Pakistan, a vertically integrated unit of US Group and a leading manufacturer of sustainable denim fashion, has launched a diversified anti-bacterial and anti-viral collection known as “Safe for US.”
To launch the collection, US Denim Mills has partnered with well-renowned manufacturers across the globe, namely ICI in Pakistan, Marina Enterprises in China, Archoma and HeiQ in Switzerland and Rudolf in Germany.
Targeting the true DNA of denim with authenticity and a soft and smooth feel, US Denim Mills uses two techniques to make two types of fabrics. It blends the antimicrobial yarns into the fabrics to achieve long-lasting results in terms of antimicrobial and anti-odor performance, and also treats the woven fabrics with antimicrobial agents.
Sustainable innovation was the focus of US Denim Mills’ product development far before the Covid-19 pandemic as the company pioneered 100 percent Recycled Denim products. The manufacturer is certified for both Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) for organic content in its fabric and Global Recycle Standard (GRS) for all the synthetic and natural recycled fibers used in its fabrics, such as Repreve, PIW and PCW. US Denim Mills is also certified by the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS).
The company also uses Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) cotton in its fabrics as well as biodegradable, regenerated fibers such as Tencel, Ecovero, Modal and Ciclo-based products along with sustainable dyeing and finishing processes.
With the pandemic now a chief concern among consumers, brands and manufacturers alike, safety has become just as important as sustainability for the US Denim Mills team. The mill’s use of naturally occurring anti-microbial agents is designed to give the wearer confidence that no harm will come to their skin or health as a result of bacteria or viral invaders.
Fabrics developed from anti-microbial yarns include Silverbac from ICI-Pakistan, Nano Copper from Marina Enterprise, Peppermint plant-based fiber, Smartex Bamboo Charcoal fiber and hemp.
In addition, yarns like Bamboo Charcoal help in providing thermalregulation and moisture absorption while also releasing ions beneficial to health. All this is accomplished without disrupting the aesthetics or properties of the yarns they are blended with.
The fabric as a whole does not lose its appearance, color or appeal upon finishing. The product also has chemical finish developments like HeiQ’s Viroblock and Rudolf’s Ruco-bac that contain anti-microbial and anti-viral properties. Viroblock in particular is a Swiss textile technology that has testing has proven to be effective against SARS-CoV-2, the strain that causes Covid-19, and many other viruses.
Additionally, the product also includes the additive Sanitized Mintactiv 50, a natural peppermint substance that contains menthol, an essential oil with an anti-microbial effect that is effective against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
In addition to protecting against microbes, the fabrics also control odor, which allows the denim to stay fresh for a longer period of time. Hence, end consumers do not have to wash them frequently, saving up to 40 liters of water per garment life cycle, detergent, electricity and most importantly, time.
US Denim Mills has made all its fabrics available online with its General Seasonal Collections. The portal is a utility for all designers and customers to view all the latest trends and fabrics online with the natural hue and character appearance without having to wait for actual samples. The portal is accessible on the company’s site at http://usapparel.co/ecomm/public/.
Learn more about US Denim Mills and its various efforts to bring Sustainable Denim Fashion to the market.