planarTECH and IDEATI launch graphene-enhanced antibacterial face masks

UK-based planarTECH has announced an extension to its existing agreement with Thailand-based IDEATI to include the marketing and distribution of its 2AM-branded graphene-enhanced antibacterial face masks.

According to a recent report from market research firm QY Research, global demand for face mask products is growing rapidly in 2020 due to both pollution concerns in developing countries and the recent worldwide outbreak of the Covid-19 virus.

IDEATI’s 2AM antibacterial face mask is a patent-pending design that employs a unique coating containing a combination of graphene and other carbon nanomaterials. This coating leverages both the antistatic and known antibacterial characteristics of graphene to create a cotton fabric face mask with the following properties:

• Antibacterial: The coating has been certified by the Thailand Textile Institute to reduce staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) bacteria by 99.95% within a 24 hour period;
• Antistatic: The coating repels dust, and is effective against PM2.5 airborne particulate matter;
• Washable: The cotton fabric mask is washable and reusable up to 10 times without losing its antibacterial or antistatic properties;
• Comfort: The coating spreads heat evenly across the mask and also includes a water-repellent inner coating for additional comfort.

IDEATI’s 2AM antibacterial mask is now in mass production. Minimum order quantity is 1,000 units (packs of 3 masks) with a lead time of 10 to 15 days.

Ted P. Thirapatana, Director of IDEATI commented: We are pleased to be working with planarTECH again to launch our 2AM graphene-enhanced antibacterial mask product on the global market. This product has been under development for some time, and we sincerely hope it can have a beneficial impact in this time of global crisis. This is our second product launch and we sincerely believe that graphene-enhanced products have reached a tipping point in the market.

J. Patrick Frantz, Founder & CEO of planarTECH stated: "We’re really excited to be working with IDEATI again to bring another one if its innovative 2AM products to market. I have previously published on the possible use of graphene in the fight against the current COVID-19 pandemic, and while this product does not claim to address this problem, IDEATI is currently evaluating its antiviral properties. In the meantime, we believe that this product has merit for its antibacterial and antistatic properties and have decided work with IDEATI to release it into the market.

planarTECH has a crowdfunding campaign at planartech.seedrs.com that is still open for investetment.

In addition, these graphene-based masks join other recently launched products aimed at helping in the fight against coronavirus.