These have been difficult times in which we have faced situations that we never imagined could happen, it could even be said that no one was prepared to face what this year brought us.

In these moments in which we all play an important role to control the situation and thus return to normality as soon as possible, it is necessary that we all do our bit to overcome this new challenge.

Whether it’s to convey a message or to decorate a space, the Media & Substrate has always played an important role in our industry.

That is why some companies have joined efforts to create some substrates which are capable of helping to mitigate the spread of viruses and bacteria.

HEXIS Group “PURE ZONE”

PURE ZONE provides 24-hour preventive protection against certain bacteria thanks to the constant action of its antibacterial power to hinder their proliferation. PURE ZONE® films contain silver ions, that are activated on the superficial layer, when in contact with moist. These reactive ions may quickly block the metabolism of bacteria and thus prevent their proliferation between two cleaning and disinfection protocols.

The PURZON060M/B antimicrobial film has been tested and certified according to ISO 22196 norm, ensuring a neutralization of 99.99% of Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus aureus resistant to meticillin (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

“However, we have to outline”, Clément MATEU – HEXIS CEO, “that no tests were carried out by HEXIS Group on viruses or their subfamilies (coronavirus, SARS, COVID-19)”. Unlike common bacteria, the handling of viruses is highly regulated by law. Then he adds: “We are therefore unable to prove the effectiveness of our PURE ZONE technology on viruses, and in particular on the Covid-19.”

Fisher Textiles “DisenfectexTM”

DisenfectexTM is a printable fabric enhanced by HeiQ V-block in collaboration with HeiQ. Marketed as HeiQ Viroblock in other countries, HeiQ V-block is an antiviral textile technology for industrial use, engineered to work against enveloped viruses, such as influenza viruses and human coronaviruses.

DisenfectexTM fabrics treated with HeiQ V-block are resistant to microbes and inhibits the growth of bacteria on the fabric. Treated fabrics submitted by HeiQ have been tested by the Doherty Institute in Australia to be effective against 99.99% of SARS-CoV-2.

DisenfectexTM fabrics have many uses for personal protective equipment (PPE) including face masks, sanitation stations, counter-top barriers, desk dividers, table throws, pop-up screens, among others.

Media One

Media One launch a line of antimicrobial fabrics (Imperial, Manhattan, Doheny, Malibu, Moonlight, Sunset), treated with integrated antimicrobial coatings and have been lab tested to kill over 98% of bacteria within 24-hours.

These fabrics are designed for dye-sublimation transfer, direct dye sub, UV & latex printing and are available in 126” width or cut to specific lengths.

“We’re responding to the COVID-19 crisis in a way to help our customers with solutions for retail, POP, medical, and event graphics to help prevent the spread of any microbial agents, per our independent lab testing. And while this has not been tested specifically with COVID-19, this coating is anti-bacterial & anti-microbial to 98% effectiveness,” Jason Bartusick, CEO & Head of Product Development at Media One. “Working with our suppliers, we’ve identified key products that address numerous applications, and our customers have expressed widespread interest in them.”

Plaskolite “Amgard”

Amgard Antimicrobial Safety Shields is formulated with laboratory-tested silver ion antimicrobial technology that protects the sheet surface from microorganism growth.

“The deployment of safety shields is an important part of reopening plans for businesses, schools and institutions,” Dr. Ted Trautman, technology director for Plaskolite. “Amgard protects the sheet against the growth of microorganisms such as mold and mildew. Amgard delivers the dual benefit of a physical barrier and an antimicrobial technology designed to protect the plastic’s surface.”

Monitoring human performance and health have always attracted interest of different science sectors. Many wearable devices have been invented incorporating electronics in wearable patches, wristbands, and other configurations that monitor either localized or overall physiological information such as heart rate or blood glucose.

Recently researchers at Tufts University’s School of Engineering team have takes a different, non-electronic approach, developing a biomaterial-based inks that respond to and quantify chemicals released from the body (e.g. in sweat and potentially other biofluids) or in the surrounding environment by changing color.

This ink can be screen printed onto textiles such as clothes, shoes, or even face masks in complex patterns and at high resolution, providing a detailed map of human response or exposure. The screen printable bio-inks can be used like any ink developed for screen printing, and so can be applied not just to clothing but also to various surfaces such as wood, plastics and paper to generate patterns ranging from hundreds of microns to tens of meters.

“The use of novel bioactive inks with the very common method of screen printing opens up promising opportunities for the mass-production of soft, wearable fabrics with large numbers of sensors that could be applied to detect a range of conditions,” Fiorenzo Omenetto, corresponding author and the Frank C. Doble Professor of Engineering at Tufts’ School of Engineering. “The fabrics can end up in uniforms for the workplace, sports clothing, or even on furniture and architectural structures.”

Roland DG EMEA announces its largest and most productive textile printer to date the “ZT-1900”. This dye-sublimation printer is 1.9m wide and delivers quality print on applications including; fashion, sportswear, personalized interior decoration and soft signage.

The new ZT-1900 can print 220 sqm/hr in draft mode and 150 sqm/hr in production mode and a mirrored CMYK configuration for increased productivity. An integrated infrared dryer allows quick drying, and a 5 kg ink container capacity enables fast finishing, while high levels of automation allow 24-hour production.

Four double-channel Kyocera printheads deliver detailed text, image quality and vibrant solid colours. Roland's high-density dye-sublimation inks produce a wide colour gamut and are compatible with coated and uncoated paper for production versatility. The ZT-1900 also handles lightweight paper (>18gr/sqm) and large paper rolls up to 450kg to reduce paper cost and increase printing time without stops.

"The ZT-1900 is ideal for existing users of digital sublimation printers seeking to increase production, and for businesses who are currently using analogue methods who want to move into digital with a high-productivity, high-quality system. The cost efficiency and low running costs of the ZT-1900 will also benefit anyone working to extremely tight margins.” Paul Willems, Roland Director of Business Development and Product Management EMEA.

Due the corona pandemic situation and the associated international travel restrictions Messe Frankfurt has decided to postpone the next Heimtextil, from the planned dates in January until 4 to 7 May 2021.

Heimtextil 2021 shares the fairgrounds with Techtextil, (trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens) and Texprocess, (international trade fair for processing textile and flexible materials). The two trade fairs are held every two years in May and, together with Heimtextil, offer the opportunity to present the entire textile value chain at Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Centre from 4 to 7 May 2021.