Tests conducted by Swiss textile innovator HeiQ and the Peter Doherty Institute have found that fabric treated with HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03 achieved a 99.99% reduction of the SARS-Cov-2 virus, which causes Covid-19.

HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03 is a textile treatment for industrial use that is designed to give textiles antiviral and antibacterial properties. The combination of silver antimicrobial technology and vesicle technology rapidly destroy enveloped viruses including coronaviruses.

In the tests, a known concentration of SARS-CoV-2 virus was contacted with a sample fabric for 30 minutes, followed by measurement of remaining infectious SARS-CoV-2 viruses. The fabric sample treated with HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03 had no infective viruses left after 30 minutes. The result indicated a SARS-CoV-2 virus reduction of 99.99% relative to the inoculum control.

HeiQ co-founder and CEO Carlo Centonze said: “The confirmation of antiviral activity of HeiQ Viroblock against SARS-CoV-2 is an important milestone. This data forms part of our ongoing efforts to help provide textiles with greater levels of protection against viruses and contribute to efforts towards mitigation of the global pandemic.”