Filter materials supplier Fibertex’s filter materials are locally produced at the Fibertex KwaZulu-Natal plant, in line with stringent international quality and health specifications.

Fibertex synthetic nonwovens and nanofibre-treated products are approved for use in various functional layers in protective facemasks and respirators. Functions include moulding supports, particulate efficiency layers and barriers against many viruses and diseases, including Covid-19. These high-performance materials also offer protection against bacteria and liquid penetration.

“There are many materials available locally that are used for the manufacture of personal protection equipment (PPE), but what sets our components apart are critical features including reliable protection, pristine manufacturing standards, durability and a long shelf life,” explains Fibertex South Africa key account manager Rosa Naidoo.

“The use of the correct materials in the manufacture of PPE is crucial to ensuring adequate protection for long periods. Fibertex filter media play an important role in the design of comfortably fitting masks by providing a dependable filtration system that offers a physical barrier against droplets of 5 microns in size, while changeable exhaust filters clean up exiting breath.”

Fibertex Breathetex 140 nonwoven filter fabric – with approval from South African authorities for the production of non-surgical facemasks – is manufactured from a blend of polyester fibres, with non-absorbent, hypo- allergenic properties.

This locally manufactured material is positioned adjacent to the melt-blown and outer spunbond layer and is one of the components used to mould and shape FFP1 and FFP 2 / N95 protective masks.

The standard Breathetex roll is 2 400 mm × 200 m and is available from Fibertex in typical widths of 1 200 mm or 200 mm × 200 m.

Fibertex has also developed a versatile component – Adhetex 40A90NP0 – which is designed to improve the filtration efficiency of protective facemasks and to extend their safe storage period. By using premium, high-efficiency Fibertex nanofibre layers in the production of protective face masks, end-users can expect to reach N95 and FFP2 level of protection.

The main advantage of Fibertex nanofibre layers, being a purely mechanical filtration layer, is guaranteed efficiency of the filtration layer during the lifetime of the mask.

Another important benefit of this advanced technology is durability of the nanofibre layer, which enables extended storage time of masks, making them suitable for use as disaster and epidemic relief safety stocks.

Fibertex Adhetex nano materials are most commonly used in high-efficiency particulate air filters for masks; industrial dust collection; gas turbine air inlet filtration; air-conditioning units; automotive components and filters in domestic vacuum cleaners.

Fibertex depth filtration media – which extends the service life of the filter – has a gradient structure comprising an initial pre-filter layer, a dust-holding layer and the final nanofibre layer. Media are available in various thicknesses, depending on specific end-user requirements.

The standard Adhetex roll is 1.55 m wide × 2 000 m, and requires special handling to protect the delicate nanofiber component.

All Fibertex products can be delivered slitted to specific end-use widths required.

Global support from the holding company in Denmark guarantees the edge on product design, impeccable manufacturing standards and cost-efficiency, as well as safety and reliability of every Fibertex material.