Antimicrobial fibres and fabrics

Antimicrobial-treated apparel is used to control the presence of microorganisms which are responsible for causing odour, infection and disease. It is just one of a number of apparel categories that has greatly benefited from the growing demand for functional textiles which provide strong performance, comfort and well-being.

Antimicrobial finishes have been available for many years but early versions suffered from two major drawbacks: their effect was not permanent, and their scope of antimicrobial action was narrow. The introduction over the past decade of more durable and more effective antimicrobial technologies has made their incorporation into performance apparel a more viable proposition. Moreover, the use of antimicrobial fibres and fabrics provides manufacturers of performance apparel with an opportunity to differentiate their products in the marketplace, often at no extra cost to the consumer.

The main consumer applications of antimicrobial fabrics are in apparel—where they combat odour and reduce the risk of infection and spread of diseases—and in household textiles, where they play a major role in reducing the population of dust mites which are responsible for allergies. In clothing, they are finding their way into an ever increasing range of apparel segments, from sportswear and medical use garments to casual wear and even fashion wear.

Over the past five years the consumption of antimicrobial-treated clothing has surged as a result of the growing awareness among consumers of hygiene and of the harmful effects of certain microorganisms. This has spurred suppliers into developing products which are not only more effective and more durable but can also meet stringent safety and efficacy standards imposed by government agencies.

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