In an effort to contribute to mitigating the spread of the coronavirus and other hospital infections, MAS+, a division of Sri Lanka headquartered MAS Holdings, has created a range of functional and comfortable PPE products that integrate HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03, a breakthrough antiviral technology.
The novel textile treatment has shown a 99.99% reduction of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in laboratory tests conducted by the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in Melbourne, Australia (HeiQ Viroblock tests successfully against COVID-19). The wash-durable textile treatment will become a substantial addition to MAS+’s latest range of reusable medical supplies and PPE.
MAS+ is an arm of MAS, one of Southeast Asia’s largest apparel and textile manufacturers specializing in medical apparel and Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), which it says is ideal for first responders and frontline workers.
Ranil Vitarana the Chief Innovation Officer for MAS Holdings, comments: “As a company led by innovation, we found HeiQ to be an equally innovative organization. We have been partnering with them for the past 5 years to bring innovative solutions to the market. This is a good example of the proactiveness of HeiQ.”
Through this and other integrations of innovation and decades of manufacturing expertise, MAS+ says it aims to safeguard frontline workers and curtail acquired infection costs. The manufacturing capabilities of MAS, with 53 factories across 16 countries allows the design and delivery of customized PPE within 4 weeks, offering product development and rapid prototyping while leveraging its global supply chain.
Co-founder and Group CEO of HeiQ, Carlo Centonze said: “HeiQ and MAS have been innovation partners for 5 years now. The HeiQ team especially enjoy working with MAS Twinery because they have an innovative spirit like a start-up. Proud to bring antiviral PPEs treated with HeiQ Viroblock together to the market.”
“We have been engaged closely with teams in multiple different business units under the MAS umbrella. It is always illuminating to work with these teams they use the concept of innovation as a challenge, to both build on and execute projects which impact positively on our stakeholders,” said Mr. Musa Rabin, VP HeiQ Brandforce South Asia.
“Even over the past few months where the pandemic has re-shaped how we approach innovation, the teams at MAS have risen to challenge of re-tooling themselves in order to offer the best possible technologically driven products to help with the goal reducing the risk of transmission in society at large as well as protecting our frontline warriors, globally. HeiQ is glad to partner with MAS help with this goal and eager to support through the on boarding of HeiQ Viroblock technology.”
