Shepshed firm see sales of face mask rocket
Masks have an antiviral coating
AN HISTORIC textile manufacturer that has developed a face mask with an antiviral coating says sales have rocketed by 450% in the last month and staff can ‘only just keep up with demand’.
Baltex, a technical textile manufacturer, which has been in business since 1831, has been inundated with orders for the mask which is currently undergoing tests with the British Retail Consortium to demonstrate that it has benefits beyond similar face coverings.
So far the high performance 3D fabric, which is knitted in Shepshed, has passed tests for breathability, liquid repellence and buyer comfort while the specialist coating, called ViralOff has been accredited with reducing levels of Influenza A, BirdFlu, Norovirus and SARS by 99%.
While tests continue on the masks, the company, which designs, manufactures, and supplies a variety of technical textiles for a range of high-performance markets including aerospace, military, medical and the automotive industry, is focussing all its efforts in keeping up with demand for its Airox Face Mask.
Baltex managing director Charles Wood, an eighth-generation owner of the family business, said: “Given that so many different manufacturers are producing face masks, we are delighted by how popular our product has been – we have had to pull more and more people from other areas of the business to work on to his line and we can only just keep up with demand.
“We are right in the middle of testing the mask so that buyers can have total reassurance that by wearing an Airox mask they are doing everything they can to be safe.
“Unlike many novelty masks or homemade versions, our masks have passed tests for breathability and the fabric is safe to use against the skin. Many masks are made from cotton and will absorb moisture and water droplets, but our fabric is treated with a durable water repellent finish to avoid the absorption of droplets.
“It is also anti-bacterial which reduces odour and it provides superior comfort compared to basic textile masks, which reduces the need to touch it.”
Baltex was founded by William Ball and his brothers Francis and Thomas in 1831, starting life as a silk and lace manufacturer, before adapting to specialist fabrics after facing fierce competition from cheap imports.
The company employs 50 people and around 70% of its work is for export. It has a subsidiary in Poland, and works with agents in Hong Kong, Italy, Finland and the USA.
The Airox Face Mask retails at £8.99 and is available by visiting www. airospring. co. uk/ products/ airox-ax100