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In the BioProt project, bio-based and antimicrobial nonvowen materials will be developed for personal protective equipment (PPE), such as surgical mouth-nose protectors, respirators and reusable masks.

An enormous number of different disposable products have been daily used in healthcare. Almost all of them have been made of synthetic and fossil-based raw materials. In the BioProt-project, different bio-based materials will be developed and tested. Organic virus-killing components attached on the surface improve the material properties and provide a competitive advantage over the other products on the market.

Various user surveys made in the project will focus on the mask users’ well-being and safety. New digital technology is applied to monitor online the product performance and user friendliness. Business models, strategies of circular economy, procurement processes and models will be also developed to support the total value and sustainability.

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Project funding

Business Finland

Project period

1.1.2022 – 31.12.2023

Project goals

The BioProt-project develops new, sustainable and safe material solutions for infection control in healthcare focusing mainly on the respirators and the surgical masks and on the industrial-used reusable masks. The project is expected to improve the self-sufficiency of the products and materials in Europe. Through the bio-based raw materials, production is not anymore linked to the availability of the fossil-based raw materials.

Project staff

Other staff

Pirjo Heikkilä, VTT: Finnish Technical Research Centre

Satu Salo, VTT: Finnish Technical Research Centre

Varpu Marjomäki, University of Jyväskylä and Tuula Jyske, Natural Resources Institute Finland

Susanna Tella, LAB University of Applied Science

Paulus Torkki, University of Helsinki

Publications

Relevant projects

Development of face masks that will kill the Corona virus and other viruses - will save lives  (MASK-KILL), 2020-2021, Business Finland Korona-Co-Creation

Uuden sukupolven katalyytit ympäristöterveyden edistämiseksi Etelä-Karjalassa, 2021-2023, The European Regional Development Fund, REACT-EU

Biopohjaisten materiaalien kehittäminen sähkökehruumenetelmällä. 2021-2023, Etelä-Karjalan Säästöpankkisäätiö

Expandfibre

Partners

Research institutes

Finnish Technical Research Centre

LUT University

LAB University of Applied Science

University of Jyväskylä

Natural Resources Institute Finland

University of Helsinki

Companies

Lifa Air

Premix

Teknikum

Teknos

In-Kinds

HUS

Mehiläinen

Berner

Optitune

Lindström Group