NE BUSINESS BUREAU
CHENNAI, JULY 9
Tamil Nadu-based Loyal Textiles Limited has virtually launched reusable personal protective equipment (PPE), masks and protective fashion wears amid the coronavirus pandemic on Thursday. The gears were launched in collaboration with Reliance Industries and Switzerland-based HeiQ.
Loyal Textiles has used Reliance Industries’ fibre R|Elan FeelFresh, which was then treated with ”HeiQ Viroblock” in manufacturing this fabric, the company’s Chairperson Valli M Ramaswami said during the launch.
Loyal Textile Mills also has engineered the fabric with a Viral Barrier PU film lamination from Taiwan that adds up as another powerful protective layer.
Currently, the company is producing around 50,000 masks and 4,000 PPE per day, Ramaswami said adding that the total manufacturing capacity is of 1 lakh masks and 6,000 PPE.
When asked if the company is planning to apply for a patent for this line of products, she said Loyal Textiles will soon do so after getting results from some international labs.
“We are waiting for reports from a few international labs. After getting them, we are planning to apply for a patent for this product line,” she added.
Talking about distribution channels, she said the company is in talks for tie-ups with e-commerce as well as retail companies for making the COVID-19 anti-viral, reusable PPE, masks and protective fashion wear range across the country.
The company is looking at exporting the products soon, she added.
While answering a query, Vaishali Ramasami, Director, Corporate Strategy and Marketing, Loyal Textiles said, the company adhered to the Prime Minister’s Atmanirbhar Bharat concept since its inception.
Speaking on the occasion, Dhamodaraswamy Devadas, Chief Technology and Business Development Officer, Loyal Textiles Mills Limited said, “This reusable PPE products can be washed ten times and sterilized 10 times for reuse. Heat Sealing PU tapes have been used to seal the seams. All the three components of the PPE have been tested and passed for Viral Penetration test ASTM F 1671 – 2013, Synthetic Blood penetration test ASTM F 1670/F and the seams have passed SBPR test ASTM 1670-08 (2014). This is the World’s first Reusable PPE that has passed the Viral Penetration Test. ”
He also added, “SS 95 medical respiratory type Mask launched today is a Reusable N95 type of mask with the same level of protection of 95% Particulate Filtration Efficiency and 99.9% Bacterial Filtration Efficiency. These masks are treated with HeiQ Viroblock and have the inner layers powered by R|Elan FeelFresh woven fabric that are inherently antimicrobial. Loyal is also launching an antiviral fashion wear range with an emphasis on safety and style for domestic and export markets.”
Talking about the collaboration to reach out to the Indian consumers, Gunjan Sharma, CMO, Reliance Polyester said, “We are pleased to join hands with Loyal Textile Mills Ltd, a pioneering player in Indian Technical Textile industry to support them launch Masks and PPE kits powered by R|Elan FeelFresh fabric. This collaboration underlines the performance that R|Elan FeelFresh fabric provides to the consumer in improving wellness and hygiene through its inherent antimicrobial attribute.”
Carlo Centonze, CEO and Co-founder of HeiQ Viroblock, highlighted the special features of HeiQ Viroblock “HeiQ Viroblock was recently tested at one of the world’s leading virology institutes and showed 99.99% reduction of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) in 30 minutes. Its synergistic dual mode of action leaves viruses no chance and can enhance the protection factor of a mask by a factor 100. Tested repeatedly by industry standards such as the ISO 18184 and ISO 20743, it is effective against all enveloped viruses, bacteria and fungi. This novel Swiss technology uses 100% skin proved hypoallergenic cosmetic ingredients and features a 72% bio-based renewable content. HeiQ Viroblock respirator masks have recently been approved by the US FDA under EUA. The technology is registered by the US EPA (FIFRA), EU BPR (REACH) and JP MITI and is homologized with ZDHC, Oekotex and Bluesign.”
Explaining the salient features of the Reusable PPE Gown set Sanjay Gupta, Vice Chancellor of World University of Design said, “The design features include – Easy donning and quick doffing without any assistance and without any danger of touching the inner garments or skin; a full head cover offering full protection for head, face and neck region; and Shoe covers up to the knee. Special ergonomic features have been incorporated to assist operations like Thumb loops, Side knots and longer length of the gown. A unique aspect of the design is that they have been sized as per Indian body shapes and so do not face any problem of bulk & overflowing as is faced in imported PPEs.”
Valerio Cagnoli, Director of Gruppo P&P Loyal S.p.A., Italy, a joint venture company of Loyal Textile said, “We operate mainly in Italy with a focus to European markets. With the help of Loyal Textile we developed many technical fabrics which allowed us to get very important clients. Some of our fabrics are cutting-edge innovations in the fire protection field. We succeed in this field mostly thanks to the wish and will of the Former Chairman of Loyal Textile Manikam Ramaswami. Still today I personally follow his philosophy not to be second to anyone in the safety of human workers. We need to highlight the HeiQViroblock and the R|Elan FeelFresh performance along with the opportunity of 10 times washes of the products. We congratulate Loyal’s R&D team for their success in coming out with the Virus penetration Resistant PPE by using a Special Virus PU Barrier film.”
A ramp walk by the staff and workers of Loyal Textiles showcasing the antiviral products made by them and a Dance titled ‘Kirumi Nashini’ were the other highlights of the launch event.
