Defeating Covid-19
As the COVID-19 coronavirus reared its head and gradually spread its tentacles from nation to nation, the world woke up to find an unprecedented crisis in its hands. The devastating pandemic has affected normal life in almost every nation since, including our very own. As it continues to wreak havoc, lockdowns, travel restrictions and loss of jobs and means of livelihood have come to define everyday life, not to mention the thousands who continue to fall prey to it every day!
But efforts to defeat the deadly virus are on, including a host of preventive measures. A case in point is specially designed anti-viral and anti-bacterial fabrics, developed by Mumbai-based textile and fabrics manufacturing group Donear Industries Ltd, in partnership with the Swiss company, HeiQ.
Besides being a market leader, The Donear Group stands out for its pioneering initiatives, having introduced several innovative products in the market. Thanks to new techniques from the group’s R&D wing, NEO TECH® Centre of Excellence, the group has now developed specially designed anti-viral and anti-bacterial fabrics, with the help of the HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03 technology from HeiQ, which is among the first textile technologies in the world to be proven and certified effective against SARSCoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Tests conducted by them in Melbourne, have shown a 99.99 per cent reduction of the virus in the treated fabrics. Its effects are claimed to last up to 30 washes.
The Donear Group feels confident that these anti-viral fabrics will prove to be a game-changer for the Indian textile industry, especially in the performance fabrics category. Its various aspects were discussed by an eminent body of panellists at a recently conducted webinar, among who were Carlo Centonze, HeiQ Group CEO; Rajendra Agarwal, Managing Director, Donear Group; fashion designer Rocky S; Narendra Kumar Ahmed, Creative Director, Amazon; and celebrity stylist and the founder of That Gypsy, Priya Patil.
We bring you sound bites from the webinar.
Carlo Centonze
CEO, HeiQ Group
“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. We are delighted to partner with the prestigious Donear Group and to extend our joint products in the Indian sub-continent. NEO TECH is a highly advanced fashion-tech developed by Donear Group and we are sure that we will be exchanging lots of notes between us. What sets our product apart is that it kills the viruses and microbes within minutes, thereby reducing the risk of contamination drastically. The product has been tested and certified by various world-renowned labs including the prestigious ISO 18184 rapid test.”
Rajendra Agarwal
MD, Donear Group
“We have always wanted to extend our forte in poly viscose and worsted fabrics –be it for trousers, jackets or suits. This partnership has added another feather in our cap for breakthrough technology with anti-corona fabrics that show its effects within minutes rather than hours! I strongly believe that the antiviral fabrics will boost our established group turnover (of 1300cr) by at least 15 per cent.”
In a lighter vein, he added, “This technology makes us best suited for the future!”
Rocky Star
Indian Fashion Designer
“This NEO Tech anti-viral fabric is going to help people to feel safe, as safety is the top priority. I’m really excited to use this fabric in my next collection, and definitely showcase it in the London Fashion Week in the next season. Fashion is all about showing off, meeting people and socialising—this innovation is definitely going to be a big help.”
Narendra Kumar Ahmed
Creative Director, Amazon
“I would first like to congratulate Mr Rajendra Agarwal and HeiQ for such an innovative approach in garmenting and manufacturing fabrics. I think it is the right time to introduce something like this, when the world is fearful about how this virus is spreading—as the innovation is wonderful for the fact that it can go beyond just now and Covid-19 is just a part of it, whether we talk of institutions, corporate clothing, etc, this fabric has a great scope, in bringing security to the people.”
Priya Patil
Celebrity Stylist and Founder of That Gypsy
“I think the technology is amazing and I would like to see how it translates on a broader fashion scope. And, I would like to use these fabrics for my accessories as this will be amazing. Since I also work in the hospitality industry, and given the fact that the sanitisation standards in hospitals are so high, these fabrics will do so well in this industry. Not only for the fashion industry and the corporates, these fabrics should be used in the hospitality industry as well as for school uniforms, and expand the usage of this fabric on a wide variety.”
