Antiviral fabrics are in demand. As we emerge from the current global health pandemic, the fabrics that once typically adorned medical environments and care homes are now required in order to protect the workplace, leisure industries and all public spaces.
Textiles with inherent woven antimicrobial fibres or surface treatments offer varying degrees of protection and seek to reduce the possibility of cross-contamination.
With a wide variety of end-uses these fabrics which were once only specified for medical and healthcare interiors are now in demand and becoming multi-disciplinary. Whether you are looking for fabrics for home furnishings, interior products or even apparel many of the substrates and fabric coatings used in the contract space can be utilised beyond their original purpose.
Contract furnishing is a sector ahead of the curve for antimicrobial and antiviral textiles and offers a myriad of fabric choices for potential new applications. Typically, these fabrics are often also fire-resistant as specified for contract use. Fabrics are also durable and built for heavy use and wear and tear. These textiles are now in demand for residential and even apparel use.
Here’s a snapshot of UK textile suppliers and specialist coating companies that supply bases and/or coating services to the digital print sector:
Edmund Bell (Contract Textile Supply and Printing)
Edmund Bell is a leading global supplier of fabrics and accessories to the commercial, institutional and domestic interiors markets; offering design-led technical expertise, support and service to designers, specifiers and contractors in the hospitality, leisure, healthcare and education sectors.
Carrington Textiles (Apparel Textile Supply)
The largest producer of workwear fabrics in the UK, exporting to more than 80 countries worldwide, with over 60% of our products going to new markets. Produce over 55 millions metres of fabric annually.
Based in Lancashire, with over 125 years’ experience of textile processing and finishing. This is supported by massive investments in one of Europe’s largest fully integrated textile processing and finishing operations. Specialising in the development of fabrics and finishes with exceptional performance in the most demanding workplace environments.
Panaz (Textile supply & shield plus topical spray coating)
As global suppliers of anti-microbial fabrics for the healthcare industry, Panaz are acutely aware of the need for textiles which effectively prevent the spread of infectious diseases in hospitals, care homes and other environments where vulnerable individuals may be exposed to potentially harmful pathogens. As such, they have taken the proactive measure of independently testing Shield Plus Anti-Microbial technology against the spread of the coronavirus strain, to reassure customers of the effectiveness of Panaz products against the rise of new contagious diseases.
Whaleys (Textile Supply and Coating)
Whaleys Bradford offer a wide range of over 450 fabrics, which include natural (loom-state) cottons, silks, linens, jutes and wools, many of which are specially prepared for dyeing and/or printing.
They also stock a large selection of coloured Silesia cottons, mixed fibres, synthetics and even speciality fabrics manufactured from bamboo, banana, pineapple or soyabean fibres and offer a specialist coating service subject to your requirements.
Alltex (Coating)
Alltext Ltd are a small company situated in Tottington, Bury, Lancashire.
The main core business is commission bleaching and dyeing. However, they also prepare fabrics for Digital Textile Printing. Offering bleaching and pre-coating of fabrics, so that they are ready to be digitally printed. Alltex also bleach, raise, emerise, calender and finish cloth for customers adding specialist coatings when required.
Euroflam (Coating)
With a combined 40+ years experience in textile treatments, and with a capacity now in excess of 1 million metres a year. Euroflam offer a very wide range of treatments, Flame Retarding, for both Domestic & Contract uses, Water Proofing, Soil & Stain and Anti-Microbial and several others as required.
For more information, please visit texintel.com
