Trend | Antibacterial fabrics may become global favorites under the backdrop of the epidemic

During the new crown pneumonia epidemic, masks were an important piece of protective equipment and market demand skyrocketed. With the gradual control of the epidemic, the demand for masks will certainly decrease, but the global consumer demand for antibacterial and germicidal products will continue to rise, and the application of antibacterial materials in China's textile and apparel industry may become the norm. At present, there are already a number of enterprises to develop and manufacture textile products made of antibacterial materials.

Antibacterial fiber fabrics become a global market hot spot

With the improvement of people's living standards and the enhancement of health awareness, especially in recent years, the rampant of various types of epidemic viruses, the market demand for antibacterial nonwoven materials rapidly increased, the antibacterial properties of nonwoven materials also put forward higher requirements, the development of nonwoven materials with good antibacterial, antibacterial properties become one of the current hot spots in the field of nonwoven fabrics.

In order to participate in the fierce competition in the market with more selling points, some global famous enterprises have started to bring antibacterial fibers to the market as new fabrics a few years ago and achieved good market performance, such as Texapel in Italy, Nipkow & Kobelt in New York, etc. Some high-tech industrial companies in Japan are also scrambling to launch antibacterial nonwoven products, such as EclatTextile's breathable antibacterial fabrics are also very popular with young clothing designers and sportswear companies.

In the apparel industry, the growing popularity of functional clothing coupled with the influence of the national health care boom, while the concept of functional and health care antibacterial clothing has continued to become a hot spot for market speculation in recent years.

Industry insiders believe that, with the improvement of people's living standards and awareness of a healthy environment, the demand for antibacterial fibers will certainly constitute a potentially huge market in the world, the production of antibacterial fibers and related textile and apparel products will become an important industry sector, with huge economic benefits space.

It is understood that the current antibacterial test standards have American standard, national standard and other different standards, mainly divided into two categories: one is to monitor the specific value, such as antibacterial rate of 99.9%; the other is to monitor the log value, such as the log value of 2.2, 3.8, etc.. Usually the logarithmic value of 2.2 or more or antibacterial rate of 90% or more, that is, the test antibacterial qualified.

Antibacterial fiber is divided into two categories, one is the antimicrobial agent added to the fiber made of modified antimicrobial fiber, this fiber is through the physical modification of polyester or nylon, adding metal silver in the fiber spinning filament or yarn. For example, silver ion antibacterial fibers (polyester, nylon, etc.) according to the principle of silver ions inhibit the formation of bacterial cells to achieve antibacterial effect. The other category is the natural fiber with its own antibacterial function, such as certain hemp, bamboo fiber, chitin, etc..

Overall, the two types of antibacterial fibers, the former antibacterial effect is more excellent and controllable, the latter has antibacterial effect, but the inhibition rate is not high.

Domestic spinning enterprises frequently innovation

New crown pneumonia epidemic since the occurrence of antibacterial protective fabrics by major medical producers a rush, and in the future, antibacterial anti-virus textiles or will become a necessity for people's lives, for this reason, many of China's textile and clothing enterprises have long begun to develop related products.

In the production process, printing and dyeing strictly control the temperature and humidity conditions, and give the fabric a very good antibacterial, anti-virus effect. After antibacterial and antiviral treatment of fabrics can kill Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other bacteria, fungi and mold, after 20 times of washing the antibacterial, bactericidal effect can still reach more than 90%, 50 times of washing the antibacterial effect is still very good.

Graphene original liquid coloring fabric has good antibacterial and anti-mite and far-infrared effect, the inhibition rate of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans reaches 99%, the repellent rate of mites reaches 83.7%, and the fabric has good comfort.

The new protective mask uses copper fiber fabric, the principle of the development of this antibacterial fiber is: copper and bacteria contact will disrupt the balance of the current of the cell system, inhibit the metabolism of bacteria, thereby reducing bacterial activity and destroying its infectivity.

Tested by professional institutions, this copper fiber mask has a 90% kill rate of coronavirus and a 90% filtration efficiency within 60 minutes. Another major advantage of copper fiber material is that it can be washed and does not need to be disinfected, and the antibacterial effect that comes with the fabric is not affected, and it also meets the national concept of energy saving and environmental protection.

Silver ion antibacterial fiber also has a good antibacterial effect, the antibacterial rate of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans have reached more than 99%. At the same time, on the basis of meeting the antibacterial function, this fiber filament with "ten" cross-section, staple fiber with "three-leaf" cross-section to form pore grooves between the fibers, to provide capillary pore channels for sweat and moisture infusion, which is conducive to moisture absorption and perspiration, and improve the comfort of the fabric.