With the desire to take a further positive leap to differentiate its offer in the laundry sector, and to provide solutions that contribute to a better world, Girbau has forged an alliance with HeiQ to offer its customers the Swiss textile technology HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03, one of the world's first antiviral and antimicrobial textile technologies that has proven its effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) and has already been applied by more than 150 brands worldwide in more than one billion face masks.
The technology, which is applied in industrial laundry services in the healthcare, hospitality and food sectors where hygiene and safety are paramount, is guaranteed to destroy 99.99% of various types of viruses and bacteria, as tested in accordance with ISO 18814 and ISO 2074 standards, and can be added to textiles in two ways. It can be permanently attached to fibres during the manufacturing process, before the fabric is cut and sewn into finished products such as sheets and towels; or the diluted formula can be sprayed onto garments already in use and left to air dry to turn fabrics into an antiviral and antimicrobial surface.
The Vic Hospital Consortium has opted for the second method of application and has already begun to test this new technology by adding Viroblock NPJ03 to the linen in the washing process. As a pilot test, the uniforms of the CHV's Rehabilitation service, which are washed by the specialised industrial laundry La Calandra in Vic (Barcelona), have begun to be washed with the new system. In this way, it is hoped to obtain a higher degree of protection and safety for patients and professionals and to continue to be committed to sustainability.
HeiQ and Girbau also plan to offer solutions to self-service laundries by making HeiQ Viroblock dispensers available to consumers.