Creating liberating content

Bangladesh Experiences Modest Growth...

HomeNews & ViewsBusiness FocusBangladesh Experiences Modest Growth in US Apparel Imports Amidst 2024...

Oerlikon Manmade Fibers Solutions...

HomeEventsOerlikon Manmade Fibers Solutions hosted successful Technology Day 2025 in IndiaEventsOerlikon Manmade Fibers...

Ready-Made Garment & Textile...

HomeConversationsReady-Made Garment & Textile Sector: The Change Maker Of Bangladesh EconomyConversationsReady-Made Garment &...

Turkish central bank revises...

The Turkish central bank (CBRT) revised its year-end inflation forecast recently from 21...
Home News Japan's Toray to commercialise breakthrough multifunctional coating

Japan's Toray to commercialise breakthrough multifunctional coating

0
Japan's Toray to commercialise breakthrough multifunctional coating

Toray Industries has announced that it will commercialise a proprietary new multifunctional coating agent combining antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-allergen properties. This breakthrough incorporates a unique formulation employing high-performance antiviral particles that the company developed in 2022. The particles inactivate viruses around 100 times faster than conventional antiviral materials.

Toray plans to initiate mass production and full-fledged sales during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026. From April 2025, textile processors, consumer goods manufacturers, and other users will receive samples of water-dispersed solutions and coatings agent containing the particles to drive marketing for practical applications.

Toray Industries will commercialise a multifunctional coating agent with antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-allergen properties, using particles developed in 2022 that inactivate viruses 100 times faster than conventional materials.
The agent offers rapid SARS-CoV-2 inactivation and protects against bacteria, moulds, and allergens.

These particles perform much more effectively than conventional metal-based antiviral materials, swiftly deactivating more than 99.9 per cent of SARS-CoV-2 delta (the cause of COVID-19) strains in just 15 seconds. The company achieved this by adding virus adsorption and oxidative degradation capabilities to cerium oxide particles through proprietary synthesis and surface treatment techniques. Toray has confirmed more than 99.99 per cent inactivation efficiency against influenza viruses and feline calicivirus, a test surrogate for norovirus.

The average particle diametre is just 30 nanometers or so, a result of Toray’s unique particle manufacturing technology. This compactness ensures extremely high dispersion in aqueous solutions and little light scattering, for high transparency that preserves product appearances.

Another advantage is the high structural stability of cerium oxide. This resists discolouration and other changes over time, one of the issues with such traditional metal-based antiviral materials as silver or copper, the company said in a press release.

Toray drew on its analysis of the particles’ inactivation mechanism to develop a high-performance coating agent by formulating an optimal additive that provides excellent dispersion and strong materials adhesion. An external testing institution confirmed that nonwoven fabrics impregnated with this coating retained their rapid antiviral effectiveness while providing antibacterial protection against E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus, combating such molds as Aspergillus niger, and safeguarding against cedar and dust mite allergens.

Results showed that the particles form complexes with additive components and interact within the coating, enhancing multifunctional capabilities.

Achieving these multiple functions normally necessitates using several agents. This single coating eliminates that need, offering significant potential for developing multifunctional products and cutting costs. Toray will continue to validate the coating’s effectiveness against bacteria, molds, and allergens, developing coatings that cater to rising demand for hygiene solutions.

Applying this coating to textiles, films, paints, coatings, and other materials with proven antiviral performance could also give them antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-allergen properties. Toray will evaluate its effectiveness for various applications through customer sample testing with a view to launching full-fledged manufacturing and sales of this product during fiscal 2025 as an antiviral water dispersion or multifunctional coating for various materials.

Prospective applications include filters for air purifiers and air conditioners, curtains, apparel, bedding, and interior paints. Toray’s offerings should help improve hygiene in hospitals and clinics, eldercare facilities, public spaces, and regular homes, the release added.

The creation of these particles stemmed partly from a joint research effort with professor Satoshi Taharaguchi of the School of Veterinary Medicine at Azabu University under the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation’s feasibility study programme on materials and biotechnology.

Toray will showcase isolation gowns made with nonwoven fabrics treated with its antiviral particles and coating agent at nano tech 2025, one of the world’s largest nanotechnology exhibitions, at Tokyo Big Sight from January 29-31, 2025.

The company will keep pushing ahead with its commitment to innovating ideas, technologies, and products that deliver new value, accelerating R&D to safeguard societies from viral infection and contribute to healthier living.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)