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São Paulo, June 4, 2020 - Rhodia, a company of the Solvay Group, has developed in Brazil the polyamide textile yarn - Amni® Virus-Bac OFF - against the action of viruses and bacteria. This functional polyamide prevents cross-contamination between textile articles and the user, thus preventing clothes from becoming a vehicle for the transmission of viruses and bacteria that may be on a textile surface.
Developed to effectively combat the proliferation of bacteria and the transmission of viruses in textile articles, the polyamide yarn Amni® Virus-Bac OFF offers protection against bacteria and viruses, including enveloped viruses, such as influenza viruses, herpesviruses, the novel coronavirus, and others.
The Amni® Virus-Bac OFF textile yarn, with antiviral and antibacterial agents - which inhibit the action of viruses and bacteria - incorporated into its polymeric matrix, can be used in the construction of knits, fabrics, in various applications such as casual clothing, sportswear, school uniforms, professional clothing, socks, shoes and accessories, social use masks, and even hospital garments and linens.
Amni® Virus-Bac OFF has the great advantage of permanent effect, which means that its antiviral and antibacterial action will remain throughout the useful life of the textile article, that is, a garment will have the same effectiveness and uniformly even after numerous washes.
In addition, the polyamide Amni® Virus-Bac OFF combines comfort and practicality, highly valued at this moment, as it offers benefits such as soft touch, thermal comfort, breathability, ease of maintenance, and quick drying.
"It is a great satisfaction and pride for all of us at the Rhodia team to contribute to society in this difficult time. We developed in Brazil in record time a product effective in combating virus spread. It is an additional protection that helps us to have more peace of mind in moving around during this period of city reopening, by preventing our clothes and shoes from becoming vehicles for virus and bacteria transmission, while also blocking the transport of these microorganisms from public places to our homes. That is, it protects all of us, our families, and society as a whole," says Renato Boaventura, Global Vice President of Polyamide and Fibers at Rhodia, Solvay Group.
How does the antiviral action of Amni® Virus-Bac OFF work - The antiviral agent present in the polymeric matrix of the Rhodia polyamide yarn has electronic affinity with protein regions of the virus's external structure, preventing lodging in human cells, thus blocking contamination.
Additionally, the antiviral agent acts in breaking the lipid envelope (fat) of enveloped viruses, when this rupture occurs, the virus's genetic material is exposed and the virus is inactivated, thus preventing its replication, in other words, the virus loses its ability to act (contaminate).
Proven efficacy - The efficacy of the Amni® Virus-Bac OFF polyamide yarn has been proven by an independent laboratory, following international textile protocols contained in ISO 18184 standard (Determination of Antiviral Activity of Textile Products). In addition to being antiviral, the Amni® Virus-Bac OFF polyamide also has proven antibacterial action, according to international textile standards AATCC100.
Rhodia highlights that this technology is an additional barrier in combating cross-contamination of viruses and bacteria. The use of pieces with Amni® Virus-Bac OFF polyamide does not eliminate the need for frequent hygiene care, according to the safety instructions of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the face of the new coronavirus pandemic scenario.
Permanent Innovation - Rhodia, which has just completed 100 years in Brazil, is integrated into the polyamide chain in the country, with development laboratories installed in its factories in Paulínia (SP) and Santo André (SP). The company is a pioneer and South American leader in the development of functional and sustainable polymeric, yarn, and textile fiber.
Over the past few years, the company has invested in expanding its portfolio of polyamide textile innovations. The latest ones are the Emana® microfiber, which helps delay muscle fatigue and cellulite signs; Amni® Soul Eco, Amni® Soul Cycle, which are functional and biodegradable textile yarns, and Rhodianyl® Eco, a sustainable polyamide textile yarn applied in school uniforms and other textile articles and accessories. All these products meet the domestic market and various countries in Latin America, Europe, and Asia.
Rhodia's 100 years of presence in Brazil - Under the signs of pioneering and innovation, Rhodia, a company of the Solvay Group, completed 100 years of activities in Brazil in 2019. The company began its successful journey in Santo André - SP, with the installation of an industrial unit of chemical products, which represented the first step in the industrialization of the ABC region of São Paulo. Always ahead of its time, Rhodia has made a decisive contribution throughout this period to strengthening the chemical/textile sector and industry in Brazil in general, by developing technologies, processes, and products for various markets, and with a deep relationship with Brazilian society. Since September 2011, Rhodia has been part of the Solvay Group, one of the most relevant international players in advanced materials and specialty chemicals.
