Textile technology company HeiQ’s antiviral Viroblock NPJ03, introduced in March to help fight the coronavirus pandemic, has been certified as safe and sustainable, with its ingredients certified as cosmetic-grade, bio-based and recycled.
The HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03 is a formulation that contains a minute amount of recycled silver active ingredient and fatty liposome vesicle components. It is now European Union REACH and U.S. FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act) compliant, Oeko-Tex certified and ZDHC and Bluesign compliant.
HeiQ added that Viroblock-treated respirator masks have been registered as a medical device by Swissmedic and approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
“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,” Carlo Centonze, CEO of HeiQ Group, said. “Furthermore, we are proud that HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03 qualifies as a bio-based renewable product and is 100 percent made from…approved cosmetic ingredients.”
Beta Analytics Testing Laboratory has certified that HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03 contains 72 percent bio-based carbon, the company noted. HeiQ Viroblock NPJO3 is currently undergoing homologation for the U.S. Department of Agriculture bio-preferred certification. Specialities S.R.L., 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 Viroblock NPJ03 is proven to reduce 99.99 percent of human coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, along with other enveloped viruses and bacteria. Viruses and bacteria can remain infective on textile surfaces for days. Human Coronavirus SARS-CoV persists for up to two days on surgical gowns at room temperature, HeiQ noted, adding that antiviral treatments for textiles contribute to more hygienic and safer textile products and can help mitigate the risk of contamination and transmission.
“HeiQ is grounded in the pursuit of innovation that helps to bring a positive benefit to the world,” Dr. Murray Height, chief science officer of HeiQ Group, said. “Designing products with safe and sustainable components, such as the HeiQ Viroblock technology, is central to that mission.”