”‹”‹Microban International, a leader in antimicrobial technologies, and ”‹Manchester Mills”‹, a leading textile manufacturer, have announced an expanded exclusive partnership to provide antimicrobial-treated textiles to the hospitality industry. The Protect 360 collection of products will be sold directly to customers, as well as through Manchester Mills and its distributor network in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and European Union. This builds on a December 2020 announcement to sell these products to the healthcare industry.

“Our partnership with Microban combines our textile engineering expertise and industry insights with the leading antimicrobial technology to provide products that meet consumers increased expectations for cleanliness and safety,” said Elizabeth McNulty, senior vice president and general manager at Manchester Mills. “Manchester Mills is focused on finding innovative solutions to instil guest confidence and support our hotelier customers businesses during these challenging times.”

Key offerings of the Protect360 product line include mattress encasements and pillow protectors that are treated with Microban antimicrobial product protection and inhibit the growth of product damaging bacteria. Protect360° products are also waterproof, and feature patent pending bed bug protection. Additionally, the fabric has passed third party testing for Viral Penetration Protection, providing a barrier against viruses.

According to Microban, a recent study revealed that 68% of”‹respondents said cleanliness in hotels has become extremely important to them over the last 6 to 8 months, and 58% of respondents said they would be willing to pay more for a hotel room with products treated with antimicrobial protection. Additionally, the majority surveyed shared that the products they feel are the dirtiest in a hotel room are the comforter, followed by the mattress and pillow encasements.

The exclusive partnership between Manchester Mills and Microban includes the development of the following textiles with built-in antimicrobial technology for the hospitality industry: mattress and pillow encasements, mattress and pillow protectors, towels, sheets, utility bedding, bathmats, comforters, pillow shells, blankets, spreads, mattress pads and pillows.

“Not surprisingly, we have learned that the majority of consumers staying in a hotel room expect high levels of cleanliness -- a concern that has greatly increased over the course of the past several months,””‹ ”‹said Brian Aylward, senior director of global textiles for Microban. “Through this new partnership with Manchester Mills, we have the opportunity to educate consumers and hoteliers about the benefits of antimicrobials in hotel textiles to provide greater peace of mind.”

Microban’s portfolio of technologies continues to work to revolutionize product performance with protection that lives on. Its portfolio of solutions includes AEGIS, SilverShield and ZPTech for antimicrobial product protection, and Scentry and Scentry Revive for odour control. As part of its commitment to sustainable manufacturing processes, Microban products are bluesign and Oeko-Tex approved.

Microban Website