Due to the pandemic of COVID-19 and the instructions of the health authorities on the mandatory use of masks, Polytechnnic University of Catalonia (UPC) Management commissioned INTEXTER (member of AEI Tèxtils) to make a study to select a face mask currently in the market, that best suited to meet the needs of university staff and students.
14 types of reusable hygienic masks that are currently on the market were analyzed.
The model selected to be used at UPC is the SKUT, by the company ARPE (member of AEI Tèxtils). It is a circular knitted fabric mask, made from recycled yarn from PET bottles post-consumption and using 100% renewable energy.
The test was intended to ascertain that they (masks) met the UNE 0065: 2020 specification and that they had the correct certifications, as well as their ergonomics and comfort of use.
The commission highlighted the number of offers of masks on the market and that many do not guarantee their effectiveness, since they are not approved by a laboratory accredited by ENAC (National Accreditation Entity) such as AITEX.
Once all those that did not have an AITEX certified test report were eliminated . They proceeded to score the characteristics of each hygienic mask based on its quality and safety , as well as environmental and cost aspects. Specifically, the efficacy of bacterial filtration, the differential pressure, the certifying center, the composition, the number of guaranteed minimum washes or the place of production were assessed.
The winning model was the Skut mask manufactured by Arpe in Arenys de Munt (Barcelona). Mask made with recycled yarn from post-consumer PET bottles and using 100% renewable energy (Som Energia).
The committee of experts highlighted the long textile tradition of the Catalan company, its commitment to the environment (ISO14001) and the circular economy, the ISO9001 certified quality guarantee, the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Class I security guarantee or the accreditation of content recycled from the Global Recycled Standard (GRS).
He also highlighted the awards and recognitions received by Arpe such as the 3rd PSI Sustainability Award 2019 (Wiesbaden, Germany), AITPA’s 2018 Outstanding Achievement Award or the Company’s Social Values Award (Pimes PIMEC 2016 Awards).
About AEI Textiles
AEI Tèxtils is a non-profit association, which has the aim of joining all Catalan companies and organizations related directly or indirectly to the technical textiles sector and which form a specialized productive area with competitive advantages.
The group formed by companies and organizations which support their innovative potential, set up the technical textiles cluster of the region, to which the Textile Innovative Business Grouping gives legal status.
It is not an association with new objectives, but an adaptation to the current legislation and to the philosophy and praxis of the new structures which have come up in our European environment.
