Cellulotech, a company focused on research and development around cellulose, has revealed that paper treated with company’s chromatogeny technology has passed the blood/fluid resistance (ASTM F1862) test in an independent US laboratory.
The water barrier capabilities of the paper make it suitable for the medical use as per the current Food and Drug Administration requirements.
Notably, Cellulotech’s technology had also passed the filtration and breathability test in France, allowing mask production and distribution in the country.
Chromatogeny is a green chemistry process that makes cellulose-based material completely hydrophobic without affecting the breathability of the material.
Moreover, as cellulose is the most abundant renewable compound on earth, chromatogeny expands the application to several other industries including packaging, consumer products, fashion or construction.
Also, it can save millions of tonnes of papers and act as a replacement for unsustainable and harmful coatings and chemicals – and that too at a low cost.
“We have now confirmed our technology could help solve the impending personal mask shortage quickly and provide effective and sustainable protection for all,” said Romain Metivet, CEO, Cellulotech.
The ASTM F1862 is a standard test that approves the resistance of synthetic blood in the medical face masks and materials. The passing of this test validates the effectiveness of chromatogeny-treated paper making them fit for the mass production of the face or surgical masks.
The treatment is affordable as total cost of treating the paper is around 0.1 to 0.2 cents per mask. Furthermore, these are easy to implement and have an added advantage over the clothes mask with no liquid barrier protection and droplet protection.
