Research and development trends of bio-based broad-spectrum antibacterial textiles

Research and development trends of bio-based broad-spectrum antibacterial textiles

Abstract: Existing sanitary textiles and medical protective textiles mainly provide physical barriers to viruses and bacteria, and do not have effective antiviral and antibacterial functions. Most antibacterial textiles obtain their functions by adding antibacterial agents during fiber production or fabric finishing. However, they are potentially harmful to the environment (inorganic antibacterial), potentially toxic to the human body (organic antibacterial), and the effect is not long-lasting and stable (natural antibacterial). And other issues.

In 2016, Professor Tao Xiaoming’s team discovered for the first time that a bio-based broad-spectrum antibacterial material—polyhydroxyalkanoate blend fiber (polysaccharide) and its textiles—had intrinsically durable broad-spectrum antibacterial and antiviral functions. It has opened up a new direction for the development of antibacterial textiles.

1. Trends and Current Situation

In recent years, China, the United States, Germany, Japan and other countries have dominated the antibacterial textile market. The world’s largest antimicrobial textile manufacturer is located in the Asia-Pacific region. Companies that mainly produce antibacterial textiles include Unitika Trading Co., Ltd., Birlacril, Kinda Nanotechnology (Xiamen) Co., Ltd., Surgicotfab textiles Pvt.Ltd, and Sanitized AG.

The global antibacterial textile market size was US$9.468 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach US$12.313 billion by 2024, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.4%. The healthcare industry is gaining a leading position in the application of antimicrobial textiles. As of the end of August 2020, the number of medical and health institutions in China reached 1.020 million. Among them, the number of hospitals increased from 20,000 in 2009 to 35,000 in 2020, including 12,000 public hospitals and 23,000 private hospitals. It can be seen that the market space for antibacterial textiles is huge.

Existing sanitary textiles and medical protective textiles mainly provide physical barriers to viruses and bacteria, and do not have effective antiviral and antibacterial functions. Most antibacterial textiles obtain their functions by adding antibacterial agents during fiber production or fabric finishing. However, they are potentially harmful to the environment (inorganic antibacterial), potentially toxic to the human body (organic antibacterial), and the effect is not long-lasting and stable (natural antibacterial). And other issues. The healthcare industry is in urgent need of a safe, efficient and stable antibacterial medical and sanitary textile.

2. Exploration and discovery

Professor Tao Xiaoming of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University has been a chair professor of textile technology in the Department of Textiles and Clothing of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University since 2002. Professor Tao served as the World President of the International Textile Society from 2007 to 2010. In 2011, he was awarded an Honorary Fellow by the International Textile Society, the highest individual award in the field of textiles. In 2013, he was awarded the Founder’s Award by the American Fiber Society in the field of fiber science and technology. highest award, a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and a fellow of the Royal Academy of Arts, Design and Commerce. At the same time, Professor Tao is the chief editor of the “Smart Textile Handbook” published by Spurgeon, and serves on the editorial board of more than ten important academic journals in this field. Professor Tao Xiaoming is internationally renowned for his leading research results in smart fiber materials, nanotechnology, photonic fibers and fabrics, flexible electronics and photonic devices, yarn production and textilecomposites .

As a great devotee of scientific invention, Professor Tao has led a group of prolific technology inventors and holds 28 international and national patents. More than ten invention technology patents have been licensed to companies around the world for industrial application. The twist spinning technology has been used by 11 yarn manufacturers around the world, producing more than HK$10.5 billion worth of new textiles and clothing from 2005 to 2013.

In 2016, Professor Tao Xiaoming’s team discovered for the first time a bio-based broad-spectrum antibacterial material – Polyhydroxyalkanoate blend fiber (Polysin) and its textiles , with intrinsically durable broad-spectrum antibacterial and antiviral functions, has opened up a new direction for the development of antibacterial textiles.

ong>Comparison of dyeing processes)

4. Application and extension

In 2019, gramin fiber medical textiles began to be used in the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hospital. Nanjing Hesu Times Antibacterial Materials Co., Ltd., which is responsible for textile manufacturing, has therefore become the only supplier of antibacterial and antiviral medical care products in Hong Kong’s “Inherent Textiles to Reduce Hospital-Acquired Infections” project.

(actual antibacterial and antiviral medical products)

Nanjing Hesu Times Antibacterial Material Technology Co., Ltd. is a national high-tech enterprise. Under the guidance of Professor Tao Xiaoming, the biodegradable material PHBV (polyhydroxybutyrate valerate) antibacterial masterbatch was innovatively added to PLA, PET and other textiles, and the “Hesu” and “Hehe” series of products were developed. It gives textiles non-leaching antibacterial and antiviral functions, higher safety and stability, and obvious odor removal effect. It can be widely used in medical supplies, textile clothing, home textiles, maternal and infant care, feminine products, personal protection and other fields.

4.1 Antibacterial baby fabrics

Antibacteria, comfort, and skin care are the future development trends of baby and child fabrics, and are also hot spots for development and attention by related companies. COTTON/PHBV/PLA 70/30 knitted baby fabric has been tested by a third-party authoritative organization and has an antiviral activity rate of 87.54%. And after passing AAA-level washing standards, the fabric has soft, delicate, antibacterial, skin care and other properties. While ensuring the comfort of baby fabrics, it also adds safe and stable antibacterial functions to effectively protect the health of babies and children’s skin.

(Baby and child fabrics with bio-based antibacterial function)

4.2 Antibacterial denim fabric

Softness, comfort, health care and antibacterial are the future development trends of denim fabrics. The polyester denim fabric perfectly inherits the high-efficiency antibacterial properties of polyester fiber. In the antiviral detection of H1N1 and H3N2, the activity rate reached 99.94%, and the antiviral activity rate against poliovirus reached 99.19%. For denim clothing enthusiasts who like to wear but are worried about discoloration due to frequent washing, even if they are not washed frequently, they can effectively resist the invasion of bacteria and viruses.

(Denim fabric with bio-based antibacterial function)

4.3 AntibacterialNon-woven fabric

Hesu antibacterial non-woven fabric has the characteristics of green antibacterial, environmental protection and health. On this basis, a wide range of C-end care products can be developed, such as sanitary napkins, baby diapers, cotton soft wipes, wet wipes, etc. Compared with the main products on the market, while ensuring softness, water absorption and other characteristics, it adds the differentiated advantages of additive-free, bio-based, safe and antibacterial, effectively improving the quality and competitiveness of the product.

(Non-woven products with bio-based antibacterial functions)

5. Prospects and Challenges

Hesu series fibers can match different textile processes, making the bio-based antibacterial properties of yarns and fabrics more stable, efficient and safer. With technological breakthroughs and innovations in all aspects, more high-quality functional Hesu products will be put on the market one after another, helping to enhance the added value and market competitiveness of traditional products on the market. This is also the original intention and direction of the development of Hesu series fiber products, so that more families can enjoy a high-quality healthy life. .

At the same time, as a new type of bio-based antibacterial fiber, there is an urgent need to establish the relationship between the biological, physical, chemical properties, related mechanisms, processing performance and technology of this type of antibacterial and antiviral fiber textiles. This type of biological intrinsic and durable antibacterial resistance An industry standard system for virus products needs to be established urgently.

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