Konfeksiyon Teknik September 2020

66
PANORAMA
KONFEKSİYON TEKNİK
EYLÜL | SEPTEMBER | 2020
PolyOne launches MagIQ
Non-Woven electret plus
PolyOne today launched a new functional additive
for protective face masks as part of its Fiber
Solutions portfolio. MagIQ Non-Woven Electret
Plus improves the dielectric properties in face
masks, extending filtration efficiency and the length
of time masks will hold a charge. The Covid-19
pandemic is causing a need for greater numbers
of N95 respirators and surgical masks than ever
before, resulting in a global shortage that stands at
unprecedented levels. Although industry leaders
are retooling to produce more masks, manufacturers
and suppliers are struggling to bridge the gap
between demand and supply. N95 and surgical
masks both rely on multi-layer construction, with a
middle layer made from melt-blown non-woven
material. This layer filters out aerosols and particulates
containing bacteria and viruses to protect
the wearer and those around them. To give better
particle blocking capabilities to this layer, fibers
can be modified with an additive during extrusion
before undergoing an electret charging process.
The charged fibers are more effective in keeping
particles out. “With proper ingredient selection and
processing, MagIQ Non-Woven Electret Plus helps
the middle layer of protective masks to effectively
trap particles as small as 0.3 microns,” explains
Gary Fielding, vice president, general manager,
Color and Additives EMEA at PolyOne. MagIQ
Non-Woven Electret Plus is commercially available
in Asia and Europe. It can help manufacturers increase
face mask filtration efficiency and shelf life
as they work to meet increased global demand.