Serta Simmons Bedding (SSB) is collaborating with Switzerland-based HeiQ Group, a leader in textile innovation, to create the first antiviral mattress for the US market. The two have signed a deal which gives SSB exclusive access within the US bedding category to HeiQ Viroblock technology, which has been found to be effective against SARS-CoV-2.
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The HeiQ Viroblock technology has previously been approved by the European Medical Device Directive for antiviral use in medical personal protective equipment such as N95 equivalent masks, and registered as an antiviral active by the German EPA. HeiQ Viroblock was recently independently tested as 99.99 per cent effective in 30 minutes against SARS-CoV-2 by a leading Australian infection and immunity research institute.
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SSB plans to pursue any necessary approvals for its line of Serta and Beautyrest HeiQ Viroblock mattresses with the US Food and Drug Administration, and Environmental Protection Agency.
If approved, SSB plans to utilise HeiQ Viroblock across much of its industry-leading portfolio of brands, which includes Serta, Beautyrest and Tuft & Needle.
“We know that our partners in the hospitality and healthcare industries are doing everything they can to help provide the cleanest environment and reassure their guests,” said David Swift, chairman and CEO of Serta Simmons Bedding. “Antiviral and antibacterial mattresses will be an enormous asset in that effort.”
SSB, the largest provider of mattresses to the hospitality industry, has already received early interest to acquire HeiQ Viroblock-treated mattresses from several of the world’s largest hotel brands to bolster cleanliness and safety initiatives. Elie Khoury, EVP operations resources at Aimbridge Hospitality, the global leader in hotel management services said, “As the largest third-party manager we are proactively searching for the best opportunities to add value for our owners and enhance the experience for our guests. We are currently testing the new antiviral bedding and accessories from Serta Simmons and eager to understand the impact in helping our properties deliver the highest level of safety and cleanliness for guests.”
Virus particles and bacteria are invisible to the human eye (SARS-CoV-2 is only 90 nanometres large) and they easily pass through sheets. They can persist and stay infectious for days on textiles, such as traditional mattresses. HeiQ’s Viroblock technology solves that problem by using microsilver technology that attracts virus particles, combined with vesicle technology that breaks down the viral membrane within seconds. Tests conducted at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity showed that COVID-19-causing virus samples concentrated on fabric treated with HeiQ Viroblock were 99.99 per cent reduced.