In this interview, Robert (Bob) A. Monticello (PhD), President, Consolidated Pathways, Inc.; James W. Krueger, CEO, Consolidated Pathways, Inc.; Vikram D. Rao, Managing Director, N9 World Technologies; and Ganesh Srinivasan, CEO, Resil Chemicals share details about VIROBAN, which is very effective against the enveloped and non-enveloped viruses and has been proven to reduce infective viruses by 99.99% when tested under ISO 18184
To begin with, could you tell us more about Consolidated Pathways and Sanitized AG?
Dr. Robert Monticello: Consolidated Pathways is a technical representative and brand ambassador for Sanitized AG of Switzerland and supports the advancement of the trusted Sanitized® Quality Seal and related branding concepts to the global textile industry. Sanitized AG has been performing pioneering work and developing innovative, effective and safe technologies for antimicrobial treatment since 1935. Sanitized® is a brand name and a seal of confidence which provides consumers with confidence in the textile products they buy. Sanitized AG and Consolidated Pathways teamed up to focus on the further development of non-leaching polymer antimicrobial technologies. Our expertise in this area is unsurpassed and it is exciting to work together to provide a level of protection that consumers will be able to recognise and appreciate.
What is the significance of Sanitized® Quality Seal?
James Krueger: Along with the antibacterial benefits of Sanitized AG’s technologies, they have been proven to provide antiviral benefits to textile products as well. Since the global consumer has been trained by the local government and media to sanitize their hands and surfaces in their homes, the Sanitized® brand clearly communicates what consumer data shows is of greatest interest to consumers and what test data shows Sanitized products actually provide – added protection.
Could you elaborate about the new technology that you are launching in India?
Dr. Robert Monticello: We offer a unique organofunctional polymer-based antiviral technology that is durable. This technology is marketed under the umbrella brand VIROBAN. VIROBAN N9 XTS-18 is very effective against the enveloped and non-enveloped viruses. This technology is proven to reduce infective viruses by 99.99% when tested under ISO 18184 and the polymers are designed to have high compatibility with textiles. Our VIROBAN N9 XTS-18 creates a highly-cationic charge density on the textile’s surface, deactivating the spread of the virus and bacteria on contact. The technology is designed to act quickly to prevent the transmission of viruses.
What are the unique advantages of the solutions offered by N9 World Technologies and more particularly VIROBAN? What are the advantages and why should a customer consider partnering with you, considering there are many organisations offering similar solutions globally?
Dr. Robert Monticello: T20-19 and its N9 XTS-18 custom blend are truly unique from the carbon length of its active to the consistent high-quality European manufacturing source of the T20-19. In addition, N9 XTS-18 is the only custom blend of a quaternary silane that allows for rapid and durable binding of this active polymer technology on any textile surface. The technical team involved with N9 XTS-18 has been working with this quaternary silane technology since 1995.
If VIROBAN is based on quaternary silane, how it is different from other quat silane available in the market?
Dr. Robert Monticello: All of the other quaternary silanes on the market are the same but the T20-19 and its XTS-18 custom blend are truly unique from the carbon length of its active element to the consistent high-quality European manufacturing source of the T20-19. In addition, the XTS-18 is the only custom blend of a quaternary silane that allows for rapid, durable binding of this active polymer technology on any textile surface.
Why do different laboratories that perform the same test method often generate test results that aren’t even close to being the same?
James Krueger: Many of the test methods are written quite broadly and so test laboratories have some leeway in the procedures they use within those methods. We recommend that laboratories become certified by the International Antimicrobial Council and that they use the IAC procedures to run the test methods and that the tests they perform be IAC-verified. When two different laboratories run the same test method and obtain IAC verification the test results are very similar.
Are there any ecological risks of releasing heavy metals with VIROBAN?
Dr. Robert Monticello: We must always be concerned about the potential and real risks for releasing heavy metals in the environment. N9 XTS-18 is based on organofunctional silane technology and is free of any heavy metals or metal particles that may be related to the environment.
What is your marketing and promotional strategy in India?
Vikram Rao: N9 World Technologies sets the standard for service and reliability within the antimicrobial industry in India. One part of our strategy in India will be to partner with the Indian brands and get this technology adopted in their products selling in the Indian markets through the physical outlets as well as e-commerce platforms. The other part will be to partner with the Indian textile exporters to offer these technologies to the global brands.
How will this antimicrobial/antiviral innovation that you are launching benefit the Indian textile and apparel industry, especially in the wake of the pandemic?
Ganesh Srinivasan: Companies across the world are creating a textile product that can offer a certain degree of protection to the wearer from viruses and bacteria, especially viruses similar to SARS-CoV-2. This technology helps mask manufacturers to build antiviral functionality in addition to improving comfort of textiles without affecting the breathability. India is known for its home textile exports and VIROBAN can help to build hygiene quotients in the bed and bath segments and make them more competitive in the export segment. Domestic apparel brands can use this technology to provide extended safety to their consumers without compromising on the quality and sustainability goals. This product ticks all the boxes with respect to global registrations and regulations such as ZDHC, ECHA, EPA, etc. We will be sharing the details with our Indian partner-mills to help them meet global regulatory standards.
USEPA and EU BPR registration isn’t required for antimicrobials in India. Why should a company treat its products with a USEPA and EU BPR-registered antimicrobial in India?
James Krueger: The USEPA and BPR require extensive testing for antimicrobials to determine their toxicological profiles. If a USEPA-registered antimicrobial is approved for use on skin contact products then it has passed extensive skin toxicity testing – you simply don’t know what the skin toxicity is of an antimicrobial that isn’t USEPA-registered.
What is the relevance of this technology to the end-consumer?
Vikram Rao: Now more than ever, health and safety is a top priority for consumers resulting in an increased interest for antiviral face masks and apparels. Antiviral finish treated textile articles help in protecting the wearer from infectious microbes. Thus, our technology will be a key element for preventing the spread of viruses and bacteria through textiles.
Which geographies will you target with your new product?
Vikram Rao: We will be targeting the markets of India, South Asia, South East Asia, the Middle East and Turkey through our own team and through our distributors in this region.
How important a role does sustainability and technology play in the solutions that you develop?
Ganesh Srinivasan: Sustainability is of key importance and incorporated in product design during the research and development phase of our products. The N9 range of products is easy to use and integrate into the standard textile processing. Our technology empowers consumers to take an active role in sustainability by helping them reduce the need to launder frequently – saving consumers’ time, water and energy. It offers durability for 30 or 40 HL along with prolonged useful life of apparel because of less frequent washing. It also supports low-temperature laundry.
What are your future plans?
Vikram Rao: The focus in the near future would be on global business development and business building. So far, our marketing was by and large confined to India and the Middle East. The partnership with Consolidated Pathways now gives us an opportunity to reach out to a multitude of brands and retailers in the US and EU, promote our technologies and service their requirements through global supply chains. The research and development of both, Consolidated Pathways, USA and N9 World Technologies India, would constantly be seeking to develop new custom blends and technologies which can add ‘benefit value’ to the ever evolving and changing consumer needs in the apparel industry.