Outdoor Industry, New Market for 'Virus-Blocking Clothing'

K2, First Application of Medical Silver in Medical Antiviral Materials Industry

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] The domestic outdoor industry is expanding the use of antibacterial and antiviral functional materials. As interest in personal hygiene and quarantine increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry is pioneering a new market for 'virus-proof' products.

According to the related industry on the 16th, K2 will apply a special material with antibacterial and antiviral functions called 'Medical Silver' to products newly released this spring and summer. Medical Silver is coated directly on the surface of the yarn with 99.9% pure silver, achieving antibacterial functionality (99.9%). Due to its high cost, it has mainly been used as a material for hand sanitizing towels in the medical field, and this is the first time it has been applied to clothing.

A K2 official said, "Medical Silver fabric will be applied for the first time to the pocket lining of new products such as windbreaker jackets and pants to be released this spring and summer season," adding, "Applying Medical Silver material to clothing or fashion items is the first attempt both domestically and internationally." K2 also plans to newly introduce the 'Ossak Bio T-shirt,' which adds antibacterial functionality to its main product, the 'Ossak T-shirt.'

Nepa and Kolon Industries FnC Division (hereafter Kolon FnC) will introduce products using the antibacterial and antiviral material 'Agion.' Agion is processed using silver and copper ions, providing antibacterial and antiviral functions. Nepa will use the special material Agion in all newly released leggings. In addition, Agion material will be used in pants, T-shirts, and the pocket lining of windbreaker jackets.

Kolon Sports decided to apply Agion antibacterial processing to all clothing products released this spring and summer. A Kolon Sports official said, "We decided to use fabric processed with Agion on parts that come into direct contact with hands."

'Virus-proof' is a newly coined term referring to technologies or products that reduce the risk of infection from external viruses in daily life, such as masks or hand sanitizers. The industry evaluated that the eco-friendly trend, which was dominant last year, is evolving into antibacterial and antiviral functions. An outdoor industry official said, "With increased interest in personal hygiene and quarantine due to COVID-19, 'everyday antibacterial' is becoming a new trend in the outdoor industry," adding, "As outings decreased and consumer sentiment worsened due to COVID-19, deepening the industry's recession, companies are pioneering niche markets with new technologies."