Doncaster business launches corporate clothing range that can neutralise Covid in under two hours

A Doncaster business is hoping to ‘lead on innovation’ with the launch of a new corporate clothing range that can neutralise coronavirus in under two hours.
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Tailored corporate wear supplier, Clubclass - part of the Stuncroft group which has supplied retailers for over 40 years - claims to be the first of such businesses to incorporate antiviral technology into its products.

Named The Everyone AV.Tex Collection after Clubclass’ best selling collection, it is a range aimed at those working in hospitality, transport and retail.

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Douglas Bailey, the former managing director who played a key part in the process, said: “We recognise that clothing is a transmission route for viruses, especially when worn by those in public facing roles.

The Everyone AV.Tex Collection.The Everyone AV.Tex Collection.
The Everyone AV.Tex Collection.

"Following three national lockdowns, it is the responsibility of employers to provide their staff with an extra layer of defence against coronavirus.

"As a Doncaster based business, we are excited to be leading the way as the first clothing company to effectively help with this duty.”

Current managing director, Iain Kettleband, said: “We wanted to give industries something that will help. People have been battered by the industry. We wanted to put something back into it.”

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With the company seeing a drop in turnover itself, it decided to make the best of a bad situation.

The new clothing range can neutralise coronavirus in under two hours.The new clothing range can neutralise coronavirus in under two hours.
The new clothing range can neutralise coronavirus in under two hours.

Mr Kettleband added: “We identified that we should still be doing things in the background.”

In April 2020, the team began studying the science and found that coronavirus can live on fabrics for up to 72 hours.

However, when the virus comes into contact with a fabric that has AV.Tex antiviral treatment applied, 99.97% of bacteria is inhibited and destroyed within two hours.

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Mr Kettleband added that AV.Tex is effective for up to 50 domestic washes.

When coronavirus comes into contact with a fabric that has AV.Tex antiviral treatment applied, 99.97% of bacteria is inhibited and destroyed within two hours.When coronavirus comes into contact with a fabric that has AV.Tex antiviral treatment applied, 99.97% of bacteria is inhibited and destroyed within two hours.
When coronavirus comes into contact with a fabric that has AV.Tex antiviral treatment applied, 99.97% of bacteria is inhibited and destroyed within two hours.

It is important to note that wearers of corporate uniforms may be required to wear them for up to five days a week and are perhaps the hardest working piece of clothing - a key difference with Clubclass’ new range of garments is that they do not need to be washed after every use.

The products are due to land in stock any time now, subject to delays surrounding Brexit.

Mr Kettleband told how the transport industry was ‘excited’ about the new products and Manchester Airport Group is said to be the first major employer to adopt anti viral clothing.

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He hopes other employers will follow suit, as it is hoped that AV.Tex will be rolled out across other collections in future.

He said: “There will be most impact where the wearer is in high traffic or close proximity to others. For example, in a restaurant or on a train or plane.

“There will come a point where it is not practicable to be one of two metres apart - when the world is busier.”

The launch of the new clothing range is an opportunity to ‘signal fabric innovation’ and ‘to lead on innovation’, which Iain suggests is arguably only being seen in sports type wear currently.

“I would like corporate wear to catch up,” he added.

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In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.

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