In the Spotlight

Poised to Perform

As health and safety measures continue to take centrestage, performance materials will play a leading role in the return of safe travel.

Words: Ben Thomas With travel and tourism set to make a comeback this summer, all eyes will be on the measures being put in place to ensure that passengers around the world can embark on their journeys at ease. While testing, vaccinations and social distancing will naturally make the front pages, the importance of performance materials should not be underestimated, with surfaces taking a leading role in stopping the spread of infectious diseases on land, at sea and in the air.

SAFETY FIRST

Reducing the risk of transmission will be a primary concern for operators, and manufacturers are on hand to provide innovations that assist in doing so. Take Shieldplus by Panaz, an antimicrobial cleaning system that is effective against 99.99% of viruses, bacterial and fungal microbes – including Coronavirus, MRSA, Norovirus and E. Coli. Having been independently tested and subsequently adopted by Premier Inn as part of its standard cleaning protocols, the technology behind the system has now been used to create a multi-surface spray, Shieldplus Protect, and as a laundry additive, Shieldplus Laundry.

Unlike standard antimicrobial cleaners, which evaporate soon after application, Shieldplus Protect forms a chemical bond with the surface, allowing it to stay present for up to 90 days, while Shieldplus Laundry offers protection on clothing and bedding for up to 14 wash cycles. In addition, both solutions employ water-based chemistry, which doesn’t leach into the environment.

“Shieldplus has been a key part of our healthcare strategy for more than 15 years,” says CEO Tony Attard, who confirms that Panaz is supplying thousands of metres of its antimicrobial fabric to the upcoming Viking Glory vessel. “Initially, the technology was developed in response to superbugs within hospitals, which were gaining immunity to traditional antimicrobials. The aim was to develop a solution that could eliminate microbes on contact, preventing them from adapting an immunity whilst being permanently bonded to the fabric.”

ShieldPlus by Panaz eliminates microbes on contact and is suitable for upholstery, curtains and soft furnishings

Attard goes on to explain that a surface treated with Shieldplus is coated in positively charged polymer chains, which stand upright and can pierce the outer layer of microbes. “The genius of the system is in its structure,” he expresses. “The moment a microbe comes into contact with Shieldplus, its membrane is ruptured by the polymer chains, exposing its interior to the electric charge, which kills it immediately.” The benefit of this method is that it does not discriminate between pathogens, meaning the system is equally effective against viruses, bacteria and fungi, with the speed at which it kills microbes drastically reducing the window for potential transmission.

“Traditional antimicrobial fabrics operate by leeching toxins that poison microbes,” Attard continues. “Not only is this method slow, but it allows for adaptation and means the treatment has a shelf life, with the antimicrobial agent depleted and harmful to the environment due to toxins entering the water cycle during washing.” In contrast, Shieldplus is non-migratory and remains bonded to the fabric for its lifetime – acting faster and remaining effective for longer on upholstery, curtains and soft furnishings, whether vinyl, woven or printed. Bespoke designs can also be created via Panaz’s ReMake portal.

Not only does this restore confidence amongst crew and passengers, who can be educated about the protection that operators are providing them, but there’s also an economic benefit; as Shieldplus antimicrobial fabrics do not deplete like their heavy, metal-based counterparts, they do not need to be replaced anywhere near as often, saving costs on upgrades.

For Attard, the need for such solutions will only escalate going forward: “We see antimicrobials as increasingly important in all sectors, including cruise ships. In the same way as social distancing and the use of face masks, antimicrobials are part of the collective effort to safeguard people from infection. As time goes on, we believe we will see a trend towards intelligent protection that is seamlessly implemented into the environment and is less of a strain on daily life.”

This collective effort stretches beyond the realms of fabrics to furniture, sanitaryware, lighting and even rugs, with Spanish manufacturer Nanimarquina recently developing a microtechnology anti-Covid treatment for its own products, achieving maximum hygiene while maintaining the inherent properties of its rug fibres thanks to a high resistance.

And resistance will be key given the stringent cleaning protocols now being carried out to prevent outbreaks. Morbern’s new Carrara fabric, for instance, is robust against bleach and alcohol-based disinfectants – both recommended by the European Centre for Disease Prevention & Control (ECDC) for Covid-19 – due to its abrasion resistance, which exceeds 300,000 Martindale cycles. Available in 12 colours and meeting most European fire-retardancy standards thanks to its IMO MED Wheelmark certificate, the phthalatefree, REACH-compliant collection also contains bio-based renewable ingredients derived from soya beans – part of the company’s mission to leave as little environmental impact as possible.

Ultrafabrics has introduced a new range of colours that reinforce the company’s commitment to sustainability (above); Fidivi’s fabrics use Trevira CS yarns and meet a wide range of certifications (opposite left), while Morbern’s new Carrara fabric is robust against bleach and alcohol-based disinfectants (opposite right) A GREENER FUTURE

Morbern are not the only ones championing natural resources. Animal-free manufacturer Ultrafabrics – whose materials have taken to the skies through collaborations with Gulfstream Aerospace and United Airlines – has introduced a new range of colours in its Volar Bio range, which reinforce the company’s commitment to building a more sustainable world.

Inspired by the Earth’s surface and featuring tones that derive from organic dye sources, the rich neutrals – Indigotin, Matcha, Spinach, Porcini, Pitch Black and Café Noir – demonstrate Ultrafabrics’ pledge towards greener solutions, according to Vice President of Transportation, Perry Hodge: “We are committed to reducing our dependency on finite resources while addressing the future needs of our customers. Over six years ago we partnered with a boutique supplier and challenged them to create bespoke, naturally derived ingredients that would improve our sustainability profile without sacrificing our renowned aesthetics and durability.”

Whether catering for marine customers by developing fabrics that can weather the elements of an active marine lifestyle, or teaming up with automotive clients on the next generation of performance fabrics, which deliver a unique haptic and a luxurious aesthetic – the firm works with both original equipment manufacturers looking for alternatives to leather as well as newer electric vehicle makers demanding more technical materials – Hodge notes that the desire of operators today is not only for durable, soft and easy-to-maintain solutions that can deliver a comfortable passenger experience, but also for those that have been developed with the environment in mind.

“Across all of the markets we serve it is one of the first things our customers are looking for, whether it is a bio-based product, incorporates recycled content, is created through improved manufacturing processes or is simply animalfree,” he enthuses on the importance of ecofriendly goods. “Every designer, no matter their field, is prioritising sustainability too.”

BUILT TO LAST

While antimicrobial and sustainable solutions are more important than ever in today’s world, durability will remain a critical element to companies producing performance materials for the marine, aerospace and rail sectors, especially those for high-traffic and open-air settings.

Designed to withstand the rigours of Mother Nature, DuPont’s Tedlar film provides resistance to weathering and significantly reduces UV discolouration, while Cotting Group’s Bakero fabric – certified by the IMO MED Wheelmark and featuring a twill effect that looks like denim – meets the challenges of long exposure to sun and water thanks to its own protection against UV; the product’s performance has been assessed for more than 1,000 hours under UVA and UVB lights at temperatures above 50 degrees and in conditions of high relative humidity.

Suitable for covering both indoor and outdoor furniture, Bakero is finished with C-VARD – a new PVC coating that offers enhanced protection against stains, soiling and contamination and is easy to care for using soapy water. The 100% polyester fabric comes in 25 colours too, some of which – including shades like Oxalis, Bougainvillier and Mahonia – evoke lush gardens and tropical jungles, with others such as Basalte, Onyx and Craie bringing to mind nature in its raw state, introducing earthy hues that recall rock dust and volcanic lagoons.

LIFE IN COLOUR

And colour is not going to fade anytime soon, despite the need for more sterile surfaces aboard planes, trains and boats. Inspired by the natural world, Fidivi’s yarn-dyed fabrics – Class, Fox and Roccia – range from warm tones to bold effects thanks to a cationic yarn component in both warp and weft. The use of these Trevira CS yarns, which are added to a non-cationic, flame-retardant polyester component, allows the firm to create chromatic contrasts following the dyeing process – the cationic yarn is sensitive to certain types of dyes and can take on different colours from the remaining part of the classic polyester yarn through over-dyeing. The process also enables Fidivi’s fabrics collections – all of which are IMO, OEKO-TEX and Ecolabel certified – to achieve a cotton-like touch.

Likewise, the in-house design studio at Sunbrella has devised more than 200 textile references for its marine fabrics, which can cover both interior and exterior spaces at sea. From plain to graphic patterns, textured to smooth finishes, and muted to bold colours, the brand’s upholstery and canvases allow operators and designers to create a look of their own.

While many aspects of travel will look and feel different for the foreseeable future, one thing that will not falter is the commitment of the crew behind the scenes in ensuring that the wheels of the industry keep on turning, and safely. In the case of performance materials, it’s clear that manufacturers are ready to play their part in helping the industry get back on its feet.