With the rapid increase in COVID-19 infections in Lithuania and around the world, SBA Group company Utenos Trikotažas has joined hands with the Swiss textile innovation company HeiQ, and successfully integrated HeiQ’s revolutionary HeiQ Viroblock technology into its knitted textiles manufacturing. Viroblock technology has been proven to be 99.99% effective against SARS-CoV-2, the strain of coronavirus that causes coronavirus disease COVID-19.

“We are indeed proud that HeiQ Viroblock has resonated so well with textile manufacturers around the world and that it continues to be adopted for all manner of textiles. Being one of the most powerful antimicrobials currently available that is also certified as safe and sustainable, it supports our mission of enhancing the everyday lives of people everywhere, especially during these trying times. It is our pleasure, as a leading textile technology innovator, to enjoy a successful partnership with Utenos trikotažas who have managed to adapt the technology in their production,” said Carlo Centonze, CEO of HeiQ Group

The pandemic is inevitably causing changes in many areas of life and business, and the fashion industry is no exception

According to Petras Jašinskas, Managing Director of Utenos Trikotažas, the demand for innovation in textiles is huge today. “Customers worldwide are interested in the latest technologies, especially when it comes to textile hygiene and additional protection. Back in spring we became interested in the innovation developed by HeiQ and its application opportunities. We performed countless tests and trials until we have successfully adapted this textile technology in our production,” Jašinskas said.

If the surfaces of textile products, particularly those of the face masks that have become popular during the pandemic, are not cared properly, Utenos says, they promote the accumulation of viruses and bacteria. At room temperature, microorganisms may persist on various surfaces from days to weeks, even months, the Lithuanian jersey fabrics producer says. With the application of advanced HeiQ Viroblock technology, the textile acquires additional protection against various infectious microorganisms, the company adds.

Currently, Utenos Trikotažas is producing its first large export orders. In December, it will offer new face mask models enhanced with HeiQ Viroblock technology to the Lithuanian market, with final tests currently in progress.

“First of all, we are producing face masks with HeiQ Viroblock technology, the demand for which is rapidly growing across Europe, but we are seriously considering the application of this technology in garment production too. The pandemic is inevitably causing changes in many areas of life and business, and the fashion industry is no exception,” Petras Jašinskas added.

Over 50 new types of fabric are developed at Utenos trikotažas each year and its collection consists of over 8000 different fabrics. Natural, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly organic or recycled fibres have been the priority in recent years, the company explains.

Utenos Trikotažas offers its customers materials from fibres with soybean, seaweed, coffee ground, and recycled land and ocean plastics. So far customers have been opting for technologies that give fabrics antibacterial and fast-drying properties, Utenos adds. Mineral-enriched fabrics are also popular in textile production, the company says. It is likely that in the post-pandemic reality, textiles treated with agents that neutralize various infections may come to the fore, the Utenos concludes.

Utenos Trikotažas is the largest and one of the most advanced knitwear manufacturers in Central and Eastern Europe. In addition to contract manufacturing, the company manages two of its own retail brands, Utenos and About. About consists of the About Baltic Underwear and About the Sensory of Wear garment lines. The Utenos Trikotažas Group includes the companies Šatrija, Gotija and Mrija (Ukraine). SBA Group holds a 92.31% shareholding in Utenos Trikotažas.

Utenos Trikotažas Website