Antiviral fabrics catch textile cos fancy

Textile companies seem to be betting big on antiviral fabrics with consumer focus shifting to health safety and hygiene post Covid-19 pandemic.

Welspun is launching a range of antiviral home linens. Treated using a technology from Australia’s HealthGuard Corporation, the fabric is 99.94 per cent effective against coronavirus and it will be made at company’s plant in Anjar, Kutch, says the home textiles major.

Not just home linens, textile majors are launching antiviral garments, apparels, suiting and other products. The famed ‘Surti sari’ too has become ‘infection free’. Surat-based Laxmipati Industries has begun treating saris, kurtis, and lehenga with antimicrobial finishing chemicals to keep them free from bacteria, viruses. Textile major Arvind Ltd plans to soon launch its antiviral fabrics after tying up with two foreign firms to introduce antiviral textiles technology in India. Ahmedabad-headquartered Chiripal Group has also launched antiviral and antibacterial denim and terry towels. Having presence in antimicrobial fabrics since 2011, Surgicot Textiles Ltd has seen orders pouring in after Covid-19 outbreak. The likes of Donear Group and Siyaram Silk Mills, too, plan to come out with antiviral fabrics in different categories.c