Milliken & Co. (Spartanburg, S.C.; www.milliken.com) has increased domestic production of its BioSmart fabric, which enables practical integration of anti-microbial protection into the most common medical products like scrubs, lab coats and privacy curtains.
In light of the current critical need for protective medical garments, the company has prioritized the advanced material in their supply chain to do what it can to better protect healthcare professionals regularly exposed to bacteria and viruses.
“We are committed to protecting our medical community when their health is of vital importance,” said Chad McAllister, president and EVP of the Textile Division of Milliken & Company. “Through scaling up manufacturing, production and distribution channels, we are dedicating the necessary resources to defend those who need it most.”
The patented, bleach-activated technology harnesses the proven power of readily-available chlorine bleach to kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses. Manufactured in the United States, BioSmart fabric is available through Prime Medical and is equipped with advanced molecular engineering that binds chlorine to fibers to turn otherwise passive textiles into one more layer of active defense against inadvertent microbial exposure, contamination and infection.
Statistically, 60% of standard medical uniforms are contaminated with potentially infectious bacteria, and 92% of medical curtains are contaminated within one week of laundering. BioSmart fabric is engineered to combat such bacteria, which often causes Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI). When laundered and activated with bleach, BioSmart fabrics retain chlorine, which can kill up to 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, and that chlorine shield is durable through a minimum of 75 industrial wash cycles. Even further, BioSmart extends sanitizing effects of bleach for up to 12 weeks with each wash.
As an immediate action, Milliken and its production and distribution partners are working together to direct BioSmart inventory, finished garments and curtains to those on the frontline in America’s fight against viruses and infectious diseases by providing the necessary defense to reduce HAI.