Producing nextgeneration material for PPE

Producing next-generation material for PPE

Hybrisan is using advanced nanotechnology to produce a new material, impregnated with liquid sanitiser, for use in personal protective equipment (PPE).

Hybrisan Surface + Hands is an aqueous solution for the disinfection and sanitisation of surfaces and hands. The novel composite biocide is the result of extensive collaboration between industry and research experts.

The product offers several advantages in comparison to conventional biocides and alcohols, including its non-hazardous nature, its resistance to organic foulants, and its non-corrosive properties. Having conducted research in collaboration with Swansea University, the Welsh company has tested and proven that the product can not only control planktonic bacterial loads, but also prevent the colonisation of surface infrastructure. As a result, it is capable of preventing and re-mediating fouling of the system, without compromising vulnerable infrastructure components.

Another unique attribute of Hybrisan Surface + Hands is its disruption of biofilm, which enables the product to give ongoing protection between applications, where traditional biocides do not. It has been proven effective against all enveloped viruses, including SARS-CoV2.

The sanitiser liquid is highly effective in killing coronavirus without alcohol, even on surfaces. It can also be used with advanced nanotechnology to produce advanced material for use in high quality PPE. The company’s nextgeneration facemasks offer significant benefit to the NHS in terms of cost, safety, comfort and environment, as there is less waste to landfill.

Hybrisan is a team of antimicrobial specialists, engaging in cutting-edge research and development to bring products to the market for a range of industrial and medical requirements. One area of focus is the wound care market, which they aim to revolutionise with a novel antimicrobial dressing for chronic wounds. During the pandemic, the company diverted its efforts to increase the production of its Hybrisan Surface + Hands product and its reusable facemasks, working in partnership with Gwalia Healthcare. This involved developing a new range of products, including scents, and adding a gel to the range.

Having developed an electrospinning recipe, which allows the sanitiser liquid to be spun by a cutting edge machine into ultrafine fibres (nanofibres), Hybrisan is working closely with Welsh Government and other PPE manufacturers to further scale up production of electrospun filters for use in facemasks. The company has also used venture capital to purchase a new electrospinning machine, enabling them to scale up manufacturing of facemask filters.