AFCG member and Deakin University industry partner, HeiQ, has been awarded the highly prestigious and coveted first prize in the Swiss Technology Award for its breakthrough antiviral textile innovation, HeiQ Viroblock.
The technology was developed swiftly, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and launched after authorities announced the first wave lockdown in March. Since then, HeiQ Viroblock has been adopted by mills worldwide and applied to more than 150 brands, having a monumental impact on the global textile industry.
What distinguishes HeiQ Viroblock is its ability to transform any fabric into an antiviral material. It is among the first textile technologies in the world to be proven effective against COVID-19.
HeIQ Viroblock has been applied to more than 1 billion products including personal protective equipment such as face masks, and everyday household textile products.
HeiQ Viroblock consists of a combination of HeiQ’s patent-pending vesicle and silver technologies. The two mechanisms of attack result in an over 99.9% destruction of viruses in 5 minutes – effectiveness that is unrivalled in the industry. The technology is a unique patent-pending formulation of 72% bio-based ingredients, made with 100% cosmetic-grade materials from the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients list.
Co-founder and CEO Carlo Centonze responded to the news of HeiQ Viroblock winning this year’s Swiss Tech Award.
“I am both amazed and honoured that HeiQ has won this award a second time in just ten years, and from among some incredible tech innovation finalists. It confirms our resolve to push the boundaries and push innovations to help the world with its most pressing and imminent problems. This award is recognition for our company and team that have spared no efforts to develop and launch HeiQ Viroblock at such speed and make a valuable contribution to the global pandemic efforts. We remain true to our mission: enhancing the everyday lives of people with smart and efficient textile effects.”
– Carlo Centonze, Co-founder and CEO of HeiQ
Mr Centonze and Co-founder, Dr Murray Height, who is based at Deakin University in Waurn Ponds, Geelong, have long been pushing the boundaries in textile innovation. Dr Height said the company shifted its business during the emergency, to help in whatever way it could.
Dr Height said earlier this year that HeIQ was looking closely at developing specialised manufacturing in Geelong to support the global business.
Nov 2020