Rudolf Group has unveiled the next generation of antiviral features embedded in Ruco-Bac AGP, the company’s main antimicrobial product for textile applications.
As a result of the global coronavirus pandemic, Rudolf Group said demand for chemical auxiliaries with antimicrobial effect has boomed. So, the company invested important resources in the meticulous assessment of a new antiviral feature, Ruco-Bac AGP, that has been added to one of its key technologies.
The strong antimicrobial effectiveness of Ruco-Bac AGP is rooted in the special properties of silver, the company noted. Research and development (R&D) at Rudolf Group mounted silver on sophisticated, functional and registered microstructures that strengthen and amplify the qualities of the noble metal.
The company’s proprietary microstructures are the key technical breakthrough behind the efficacy and durability of Ruco-Bac AGP. One gram of microstructures covers the superficial area of about 60 square meters, the company said. The advantage of a much higher surface is that the consumption of resources and dosages can be minimized.
“Due to the microstructures, a virtually infinite protective shield is created in the textile from which highly effective positive silver ions are set free in small, exactly dosed quantities,” Dr. Dirk Sielemann, R&D director at Rudolf Group, said.
Ruco-Bac AGP effectively protects any textile against bacteria and its antiviral performance on textiles has been independently demonstrated on enveloped Coronaviridae families known to cause a broad spectrum of animal and human diseases, the company said. Its microstructures trigger antibacterial and antiviral effects based on three distinctive inhibiting mechanisms.
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These include the blocking of oxygen-transporting enzymes leading to impaired growth, crushing of disulfide bonds and the structure of sulphur-containing proteins, and possible interference with bacteria and virus surface protein in the membrane.
Ruco-Bac AGP is intended for the protection of treated textiles and is suitable for next-to-skin applications as cytotoxicity tests show it has no influence on the natural microflora of the skin. In addition, due to the adhesion mechanism of its microstructures, Ruco-Bac AGP is only active in or on the textile and it is non-migrating.
Dr. Gunther Duschek, managing director at Rudolf Group, said there has been widespread introduction of antimicrobials on textiles and a “myriad of vague, misleading or unsubstantiated marketing claims.”
“As a highly responsible company, we move cautiously and stand for technologies and practices that are effective, truthful and limit the exposure of apparel manufacturers, retailers and buyers to any risk,” he said.
Based in Geretsried, Germany, Rudolf Group specializes in innovative and high-quality chemical products, predominantly textile auxiliaries, products for textile care and construction chemicals.