AsiaNet  89357

ZURICH, May 5, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

Global leader in textile and materials innovation, HeiQ, launches HeiQ

MetalliQ, a futuristic-looking, high-tech surgical mask that destroys all

viruses and bacteria tested, up to 100% efficacy.

HeiQ MetalliQ doesn't only look metallic. The mask with a patented design

actually contains an ultra-thin pure copper coating applied via a high-tech

vapor deposition process, called HeiQ MetalliX, which converts a minute amount

of copper into vapour, allowing it to be deposited evenly to surround each

fibre. HeiQ MetalliX is a patent-pending technology, created by HeiQ's

innovation partner, Australian materials technology company, Xefco. Studies

conducted by the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in

Melbourne, Australia (Doherty Institute) showed that fabrics treated by the

HeiQ MetalliX technology significantly deactivated the infectious SARS-CoV-2

virus (the virus that causes COVID-19) in as little as 5 minutes.

The testing protocol simulated the real-life interaction of aerosol droplets

contaminating textile products such as face masks. Each sample was exposed to a

high loading of SARS-CoV-2 followed by 5, 15 and 30 minutes incubation at room

temperature before the amount of remaining infectious SARS-CoV-2 viruses was

measured. The fabric samples treated with HeiQ MetalliX indicated a virus

reduction of over 97.79% in five minutes, 99.95% in 15 minutes and over 99.99%

in 30 minutes, relative to the inoculum control.

"Our team of experts continue their vital work to minimise the impact of the

novel coronavirus." Dr Julie McAuley, Senior Research Officer at the Doherty

Institute, stated, "testing the ability of different surface treatments to

reduce infectivity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is one way that our research can

help provide insights towards helping to stop the spread of COVID-19", Dr

McAuley added.

Copper is a naturally occurring element, present in the earth's crust, soil,

oceans, lakes and rivers. It is also a trace element that occurs naturally in

all humans, plants and animals. The antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal

properties of copper have been known for centuries and have been demonstrated

by many laboratory studies. HeiQ MetalliX treated materials release copper ions

which deactivate viruses and bacteria. Treated materials have also been tested

to kill 100% of Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae and deactivate

99.95% of H1N1 virus and 99.9% of Human Coronavirus 229E.

Made in EU, HeiQ MetalliQ is manufactured in HeiQ Medica in Spain where HeiQ

also conducts R&D activities for medical devices. Throughout the development of

the HeiQ MetalliX technology, Xefco worked closely with long-standing research

partner the Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM) at Deakin University, as

part of the world-class ARC Research Hub for Future Fibres, of which HeiQ is

also a member.

"You can pretty much 'heiq' everything to add additional functions to an

every-day product. This time we up our game once again in antiviral protection,

with an upgraded and premium appearance. Spring is calling. As we emerge from

lock-down we want to be extra protected and protect the others. HeiQ MetalliQ

is designed exactly to provide that extra level of confidence. Further, it

gives an edgy look, making it an improved alternative to surgical masks in many

ways," says Carlo Centonze, co-founder and CEO of HeiQ Group.

Pathogen name: SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19)

Testing institute: Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity

Reduction of infectious pathogens: 97.79%; 99.95%; 99.99%

Contact time until measurement: 5 minutes; 15 minutes; 30 minutes

Pathogen name: Influenza A virus (H1N1)

Testing institute: Situ Biosciences

Reduction of infectious pathogens: 99.95%

Contact time until measurement: As per ISO 18184 standard

Pathogen name: Human Coronavirus (229E)

Testing institute: Situ Biosciences

Reduction of infectious pathogens: 99.9%

Contact time until measurement: As per ISO 18184 standard

Pathogen name: Staphylococcus aureus

Testing institute: Microbe Investigations Switzerland (MIS)

Reduction of infectious pathogens: 100.00%

Contact time until measurement: As per ISO 20743 standard

Pathogen name: Klebsiella pneumoniae

Testing institute: Microbe Investigations Switzerland (MIS)

Reduction of infectious pathogens: 100.00%

Contact time until measurement: As per ISO 20743 standard

Images: HeiQ MetalliQ Type IIR surgical mask with an antiviral copper coated

surface that deactivates 97.79% SARS-CoV-2 in five minutes. (image from HeiQ)

About HeiQ

Founded in 2005 as a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology

Zurich (ETH) and listed on the London Stock Exchange Main Market (LSE: HEIQ),

HeiQ is a leader in textile innovation creating some of the most effective,

durable and high-performance textile technologies on the market today. HeiQ's

mission is to improve the lives of billions of people through pioneering

textiles and materials innovation. Combining three areas of expertise –

scientific research, specialty materials manufacturing and consumer ingredient

branding – HeiQ is the ideal innovation partner to create differentiating and

sustainable textile products and capture the added value at the point of sale.

With a total capacity of 35'000 tons per year HeiQ manufactures in the USA,

Switzerland and Australia supplying its specialty chemical products in over 60

countries worldwide. www.heiq.com

About Xefco™

Xefco is an Australian-owned company that creates innovative textile and

coating technologies. Leveraging a global network of research partners, Xefco

develops advanced manufacturing solutions and applies cutting edge materials

science with a focus on functional improvements, sustainable manufacturing and

reduced resource consumption. Incorporated in 2018, Xefco's technologies are

now used by some of the world's leading technical apparel and fashion brands,

providing proven functional benefits, enhanced performance, comfort and

protection with reduced environmental impact. Xefco continues to expand its

technology portfolio with a vision to create a more sustainable future for the

textile and garment industries. www.xefco.com

About the Doherty Institute

Finding solutions to prevent, treat and cure infectious diseases and

understanding the complexities of microbes and the immune system requires

innovative approaches and concentrated effort. This is why the University of

Melbourne [https://www.unimelb.edu.au/] – a world leader in education, teaching

and research excellence – and The Royal Melbourne Hospital

[http://www.thermh.org.au/] – an internationally renowned institution providing

outstanding care, research and learning – partnered to create the Peter Doherty

Institute for Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute); a centre of

excellence where leading scientists and clinicians collaborate to improve human

health globally.

www.doherty.edu.au

About Deakin University

The Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM) is a leading materials science

research institute at Deakin University, Australia. With about 300 academics

and HDR researchers, IFM's vision is to lead and inspire innovations in

materials science and engineering that have a transformational benefit to

society. Established in 1974, Deakin is one of Australia's most progressive and

agile universities, leading in the innovative use of digital technologies and

online learning, and blending this capability across its distinctive campus

precincts in Melbourne, Geelong and Warrnambool. Deakin has achieved a balance

of high quality research with an education experience that is consistently

rated as one of the best in the country. Ranked among the Top 1 per cent of

universities in the world, Deakin's collaborations emphasise mutually

beneficial partnerships and real-world impact in areas of high national

priority, including health and wellbeing, smarter technologies, sustainability,

advancing society and culture, and building safe and secure communities.

www.deakin.edu.au

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1500933/HeiQ_MetalliQ_mask_1.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1500934/HeiQ_MetalliQ_mask_2.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1500935/HeiQ_Logo.jpg

CONTACT:

Loraine Stantzos

VP Marketing Communications

loraine.stantzos@heiq.com

+41 56 250 68 50

Source: HeiQ