Antimicrobial Medical Scrubs & Patient Gowns

The Challenge

“Reduce healthcare-associated infections without compromising fabric comfort or durability.”

A Turkish textile consultancy firm needed antimicrobial fabrics for surgical scrubs and patient gowns that could withstand industrial laundering (75°C+, 100+ cycles) while maintaining bactericidal efficacy against hospital-acquired pathogens like MRSA and E. coli.

Our Innovation Journey

Understanding Healthcare Textile Requirements

Medical textiles face extreme conditions: repeated exposure to bodily fluids, chlorine-based disinfectants in industrial laundry, and constant contact with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Traditional antimicrobial treatments (triclosan, quaternary ammonium) degrade after 20-30 washes or leach chemicals that trigger skin allergies in 15-20% of healthcare workers.

Rethinking Antimicrobial Chemistry

We explored nano-silver technology – silver ions at 1-100nm scale that disrupt bacterial cell membranes through multiple mechanisms (enzyme deactivation, DNA binding, respiratory chain interference). Unlike organic biocides, nano-silver maintains efficacy against multi-drug resistant strains and doesn’t contribute to antibiotic resistance. But could we lock these particles into fibers permanently?

Engineering Durable Integration

Our breakthrough came from embedding nano-silver particles directly into polyester/nylon polymer melt during fiber extrusion – not as a surface coating. This creates a “reservoir effect” where silver ions migrate to the fiber surface continuously, replenishing antimicrobial protection even after abrasive laundering. We blended this with cotton for breathability, creating ISILVERY® spun yarn (30% nano-silver polyester / 70% cotton).

Optimizing for Medical Standards

We engineered two yarn counts for different applications: Ne32s for heavyweight scrubs requiring durability, and Ne40s for lightweight patient gowns prioritizing softness. Both passed ISO 20743 antimicrobial testing (99.9% reduction against S. aureus and E. coli) and maintained efficacy after 50+ industrial wash cycles at 75°C with chlorine bleach.

✨ The Breakthrough Solution

ISILVERY® Nano-Silver Antimicrobial Spun Yarn

Composition:
30% Nano-Silver Polyester
70% Cotton

Antimicrobial Rate:
99.9% against
S. aureus & E. coli

Wash Durability:
50+ cycles at 75°C
with chlorine bleach

Available Counts:
Ne32s (Scrubs)
Ne40s (Gowns)

Safety Standard:
Non-toxic, non-allergic
Skin-safe certification

Moisture Management:
Excellent breathability
Cotton-like comfort

🏆 Clinical Performance Results

99.9%

Bacterial Reduction Rate (ISO 20743)

50+

Industrial Wash Cycles Maintained

Allergic Reactions Reported

75°C

High-Temperature Wash Resistant

24/7

Continuous Antimicrobial Protection

100%

Compliance with Medical Textile Standards

Industry Application

“After evaluating ISILVERY® yarn samples, we confirmed its superior performance for medical textile applications. The nano-silver technology provides durable antimicrobial protection that survives industrial laundering protocols, while the cotton blend ensures healthcare workers’ comfort during 12-hour shifts. This solution addresses the critical need for infection control without compromising fabric functionality.”

— Supply Chain Consultant, Healthcare Textile Division

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Author

Annie

CEO Founder at Annie's Smartex

Start small and think big. I want to share more smart textile technology with you. Own a company means investing more and contributing more. More than 18 years' textile experience make me more confident. Let's work together!