Textiles
Due to their large surface area and ability to retain moisture, textiles are highly conducive to micro-organism growth, such as bacteria and fungi.
Textiles
Due to their large surface area and ability to retain moisture, textiles are highly conducive to micro-organism growth, such as bacteria and fungi.
Micro-organism growth causes a range of undesirable issues in textiles and clothing, including malodour, integrity reduction, stains & discolouration, as well as reduced personal hygiene.
This contamination is of particular concern for textiles used in hospitals as medical devices, or for health and hygienic care, but also in sports clothing and footwear.
Micro-organism growth causes a range of undesirable issues in textiles and clothing, including malodour, integrity reduction, stains & discolouration as well as reduced personal hygiene.
This contamination is of particular concern for textiles used in hospitals as medical devices, or for health and hygienic care, but also in sports clothing and footwear.
✓ Lactam has been incorporated into natural & synthetic fibres
✓ Laboratory testing has shown that lactam coated natural and synthetic textiles resist biofilm formation
Biofilm formation on textiles results in a range of undesirable effects, including malodour, integrity reduction, stains and discolouration, as well as reduced personal hygiene. This contamination is a concern for textiles used in hospitals as medical devices, or for health and hygienic care, as well as sports clothing and footwear.
Current approaches used for textiles are mainly based on quaternary ammonium compounds, triclosan, metal salts and polybiguanides. There is a significant market shift towards more ‘natural’ products and away from those with potential environmental concerns. Our antibiofilm technology can be used to manage this problem in several ways, including coating or incorporating into the fabric at the point of manufacture. We are working with several companies in the textile space to further investigate the use of lactams as anti-biofilm textile coatings, as well as incorporating into synthetic textile fibres at the point of manufacture.
This picture further demonstrates the lactam effect on a range of microbial species, clearly evidencing inhibition of fungi on fabrics – before and after washing (showing the technology can be substantive when textiles are treated)
✓ Lactam has been incorporated into natural & synthetic fibres
✓ Laboratory testing has shown that lactam coated natural and synthetic textiles resist biofilm formation
✓ Lactam has been incorporated into natural & synthetic fibres
✓ Laboratory testing has shown that lactam coated natural and synthetic textiles resist biofilm formation
Technology is at TRL 3. Research and development will continue with partners to further investigate the use of lactams as anti-biofilm textile coating. Pilot project under discussion with an internal Unilever initiative to determine specific sports equipment opportunity.
Technology is at TRL 3. Research and development will continue with partners to further investigate the use of lactams as anti-biofilm textile coating. Pilot project under discussion with an internal Unilever initiative to determine specific sports equipment opportunity.