YKK Fights Viruses Zippers Treated with Polygiene’s ViralOff

As consumers search for products to help safeguard them from pathogens, apparel brands are beginning to incorporate specially treated antiviral and antimicrobial fabrics into their designs. To help address the needs of brands, YKK has developed a line of zippers with tape treated with ViralOff, a technology patented by the Swedish company Polygiene.

ViralOff is an antimicrobial finish that eliminates 99 percent of viruses on textiles in about two hours. Durable and long-lasting, ViralOff’s chemical components are eco-sustainable and safe for contact on human skin. YKK’s ViralOff treated zipper is manufactured and sold by YKK ITALIA SPA.

Polygiene’s expertise in protective textile technology began during the fight against SARS in 2004. The knowledge gained from that experience gave the company the methods and processes needed to develop ViralOff quickly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ViralOff fabric treatment is used on a range of applications such as medical equipment, medical scrubs, face masks, gloves and a variety of consumer products.