Bangladesh Textile Today, a Bangladesh-based global textile media and knowledge network, and APS Group have jointly developed functional masks using HeiQ Viroblock, a Swiss technology capable of deactivating viruses by up to 99.99 per cent.

After testing the effectivity of the mask in an internationally recognised laboratory, it was found that the fabric of the mask is 99.78 per cent effective in deactivating microbes even after 20 wash at 30 degree Celsius.

The mask is produced in Bangladesh based innovation driven company APS Group under the collaboration of Textile Today Innovation Hub.

As the masks are made of knitted structures, these are comfortable, reusable and mostly biodegradable, according to the statement.

The masks are cost effective, a calculation showed that daily cost of using the mask is only about Tk 2.67.

Textile Today has signed an agreement with APS Group for branding, promotion, sales and distribution of the above mentioned ranges in Bangladesh market.

The manufacturing facility is FDA and CE certified and has been producing and exporting high quality garments to top global brands.

The technology belongs to Swiss innovator HeiQ, which is a leader in textile innovation, Bangladesh Textile Today said in a statement.

The HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03 is a formulation that contains a minute amount of recycled silver active ingredient and fatty liposome vesicle components.

The technology has been proven to be cosmetic grade and suitable for application close to face contacts.

The masks are also has been tested in Bangladesh government approved laboratory and proved to block Bacteria close to 98 per cent, which reaches the mask equivalent to Type II and Type IIR grade medical or surgical mask.

The report also showed that the mask’s virus filtration capacity is about 86 per cent or more taking the mask equivalent to FFP 2 grade respiratory mask.