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Agile in the face of a global pandemic, Shinta Indah Jaya has gained early mover advantage with advanced antiviral fabrics featuring one of the world’s first textile treatments clinically proven to be up to 99.99 per cent effective against Sars-Cov-2. The pioneering product is the result of an early collaboration with Swiss research and speciality materials company HeiQ Materials, whose Viroblock technology became a breakthrough against Covid-19 in 2020.

Shinta Indah Jaya’s Viroblock fabrics can be used in manufacturing a wide range of products, from face masks and daily garments to home and automotive textiles.

Since July 2020, the company stirred the textile industry with the launch of six-in-one reusable face masks combining antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, odour control, water repellent and smart cooling properties. Through the added application of HeiQ’s patented Smart Temp technology, the face masks keep users feeling fresh and dry despite prolonged wear. Recognising the importance of hand hygiene in the prevention of widespread viral transmissions, Shinta Indah Jaya has also launched washable five-in-one antiviral gloves with fingertip conductivity to easily navigate touchscreen devices.

“Post-pandemic, defensive textiles will be central to everyday living,” says Stacey Hermijanto, CEO of Shinta Indah Jaya.

The company is among Indonesia’s home-grown champions, whose performance fabrics are used by some of the world’s most valuable apparel brands, including Nike, H&M and Adidas. Rigorous research and development (R&D) goes into every specialised finish to meet clients’ specific performance needs for the fabric. By quickly adopting emerging technologies, Hermijanto continues her late father’s legacy of constant innovation based on R&D while upholding honesty, respect and integrity as corporate values.

Improving the lives of employees, their families and the local communities is equally important as Hermijanto’s entrepreneurial goals are to positively impact lives and make a difference especially in times of adversity. For instance, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, the company donated antiviral masks to rural communities in Indonesia and supported philanthropic organisations, churches and charities in humanitarian efforts. The much-needed protective gear were distributed to the underprivileged and needy across Indonesia and in Singapore.

To help clothing brands meet higher standards of wearer comfort and performance in the post-pandemic world, Shinta Indah Jaya is focusing efforts on developing next-generation fabrics combining recycled polyester and graphene – considered a wonder material with potentials for temperature regulation, increased muscle performance, therapeutic posture correction and health monitoring. The company is also studying the use of inorganic active metals such as copper and zinc in the production of protective textiles with lasting antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial and anti-allergenic properties.

“Whether it’s for protection against viruses or health threats such as pollution, the use of technical textiles and wellness technologies in everyday garments is the future,” Hermijanto says. “We are pursuing this while always keeping sustainability in mind.”

Shinta Indah Jaya will double its production capacity by 2022 through a newly built facility in West Java. Aiming for more breakthroughs with defensive textiles, the company welcomes supplier collaborations across Asia and technology partnerships on a global scale.

“Shinta Indah Jaya will remain nimble with its product offerings as this massive transition in the textile industry takes place,” Hermijanto says.

Featured in the South China Morning Post by Discovery Reports

The beginning of September marks the beginning of the school term and for many people a return to the office after several months of working from home. This transition to the ‘new normal’ is placing a strain on businesses across the globe as they seek to balance health and safety requirements with the everyday realities of their specific industry in addition to ensuring that their staff feel comfortable, protected and motivated. That means putting in place the right measures and having the right equipment so that staff feel that they can get on with their job while having peace of mind that their health and wellbeing is a top priority.

Workplace Plan

The prospect of preparing your office, factory or shop to reopen for business as usual can be overwhelming. Each business is different but there are established protocols and recommended practices that you can follow to create a coherent plan that you should share with your staff and customers. Some of these measures include designated entry and exit points, temperature screening on entry, availability of hand sanitizer and other products on entry, staggered working shifts to reduce the number of people in the office at one time or staggered arrival and departure times, installation of plexiglass shields where required, reconfiguration of the workspace and communal areas to enable social distancing areas various others.

Whatever measures you choose to put in place, have a coherent plan that is clearly indicated through signage or floor markings to make sure that it is easy to follow for your staff and for visitors.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Personal Protective Equipment has become an essential part of our everyday lives and is arguably the most important part of ensuring the safety of your staff due to its direct impact on limiting the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Face masks have been the subject of much debate in terms of their effectiveness, the type of mask that should be required and who should be responsible for providing them. As an employer, it can be daunting to undertake the additional cost of providing PPE after so much disruption to your business, however providing masks ensures that staff feel properly cared for and boosts morale, guarantees that the masks being used adhere to proper safety standards and creates uniformity for presentation purposes which can be especially useful in retail settings.

Not all masks are created equally; you need a mask that is breathable as well as comfortable against the skin for many hours, that is proven to actually prevent the transmission of the virus and is reusable to keep down costs as well as waste. The method of attaching the mask is also important, for example elasticated ear loops can be uncomfortable after several hours and are not suitable for hijab wearers. Shinta Indah Jaya’s new generation of masks are anti-viral as well as anti-bacterial and can be washed up to 40 times in addition to being made from a unique breathable material that regulates according to the wearer’s temperature and has comfortable attachment ties.

Cleaning & Touch Points

Regular cleaning and disinfecting practices should be at the heart of your workplace plan so that your employees feel that they are working in a sanitized environment. A rigorous cleaning plan should include all workplace areas of the office, common touch points such as door handles and light switches as well as meeting rooms and communal areas such as cafeterias and break rooms. It should also include a tidy and clean desk policy by providing staff members with the necessary cleaning products to disinfect and sanitize their working area on prior to leaving in preparation for the following day or for their colleagues.

These new demands on cleanliness have served to highlight how much we have come to be reliant on touchscreen devices be it tablets, mobile phones, presentation screens or machine dashboards. These screens come into contact with multiple people and can be a major source of contamination. Limiting or banning their use is simply not possible in many workplaces due to their prevalence and convenience. The ideal solution to this is to provide protective gloves for your employees that have anti-viral properties while still allowing them to use their touchscreen devices with ease. Shinta Indah Jaya offers PPE gloves that have been specifically designed for use with touchscreens and are made using the same cutting-edge material as their face masks to prevent virus transmission while being comfortable to wear.

Open Communication

Providing clear communication on your workplace measures is key to showing leadership and to building the confidence of your employees in order to feel safe when returning to the workplace. Be sure to create channels for two-way communication so that your staff feel comfortable communicating on any aspects that they feel can be improved upon. Should an employee begin to experience symptoms, it is crucial there a system is in place for informing the relevant person in charge and providing a place for isolation. Clear HR policies regarding illness and support for caregivers are paramount to help employees feel secure about communicating on their situation and not feel pressured into returning to work if they believe that they have been exposed to the virus.

Getting your workplace ready for the new normal may seem difficult but with careful planning and clear communication you can turn this into an opportunity to demonstrate to your employees that you care about their health and wellbeing. Investments made now in masks, gloves and workspace organisation will pay off in terms in safeguarding against time off with illness and boosting employee morale.

Contact Shinta Indah Jaya to learn more about its range of anti-viral masks and gloves as well as other tailored solutions that can be provided to your business using its range of fabrics with customised features for developing products adapted to the ‘new normal’.

Shinta Indah Jaya has begun to make available washable face masks using high quality breathable fabrics to support the fight against the spread of coronavirus. Available to order now with a minimum order quantity of 20 units, the face masks are produced using 100% polyester for durability as well as having anti-bacterial and quick dry properties utilising German and Japanese technology respectively. The washable mask has been designed with comfort in mind by offering a neck loop and ties alongside an inner pocket to provide the option of placing an additional filter to further bolster the 2 ply breathable mask. They are easy to wash and dry and are available in black, grey and aqua coloured fabrics.

This washable face mask is not a medical grade mask, but can be used by corporations and individuals to help stop the spread of vapour droplets produced by coughing, sneezing and talking which is helpful in reducing the spread of viruses.

For more information or to make an order, please contact Shinta Indah Jaya using the contact details above or the contact form:

The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of protecting medical workers and the general public through the correct equipment when it comes to dealing with infectious diseases. Antimicrobial fabrics and garments play a crucial role in preventing the transmission of bacteria and infections in healthcare environments among various others, by serving as the first line of defence.  

What are Antimicrobial Fabrics?

Antimicrobial fabrics destroy or inhibit the growth of microorganisms, and especially pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. They work by preventing the microorganisms from attaching to the fabric surface normally through impregnating the fabric’s surface with biocide chemical treatments such as biogenic silver nano particles. Antimicrobial textiles can be produced using various types of fibres such as polyester, polyester-vinyl composites, vinyl, and acrylic fabrics. This means that applying an antimicrobial treatment to an existing product or selected fabric type can be done so easily.

The effectiveness of an antimicrobial fabric is measured not only by its capacity to prevent the propagation of microorganisms, but also its role in helping to prolong the life of a textile and therefore lowering the rate of replacement. For example, antimicrobial fabrics are often used for hospital blankets and bedding which regularly come into contact with sweat and other bodily fluids which serve as contaminants. Such contamination acts as a breeding ground for bacteria and mould which can quickly destroy the integrity of the fabric. However, through the use of an antimicrobial coating, coupled with other specialised textile coatings such as stain, odour resistance, and waterproofing; the textile can be used for much longer requiring a lower rate of replacement.

How can you ensure the effectiveness of an Antimicrobial fabric?

International organizations such as the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colourists (AATCC), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM);, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) have developed standardised tests to evaluate the performance of a given antimicrobial fabric. Common test methods used to assess antibacterial fabric include the ISO 20743 (JIS L 1902) or the ISO 22196 (JIS Z 2801).

Antimicrobial textiles for use outdoors with exposure to the elements, where antifungal protection is crucial, should be tested using the AATCC Method 30, Part III or the ASTM G21.  Other methods, such as the MIL-STD-810G, Method 508.6 Annex B are also used to assess antifungal fabric when required.

What can Antimicrobial Fabrics be used for?

Antimicrobial coated fabrics can be used in a variety of ways to suit the specific desired functionality of a textile or garment. Conventionally, antibacterial textiles have been used in hospitals and healthcare environments for medical scrubs, surgical masks, laboratory coats, hospital bedding, hospital curtains and mattresses as well as for wound dressing.

Furthermore, they are increasingly used in other types of textile products given the benefits of prolonging product life as well as the health benefits to the wearer. Antimicrobial fabrics are therefore also used for sportwear apparel, military fabrics, professional and school uniforms. In public places they can be used for architectural fabrics, awnings, canopies and carpets while in the home they can be used for producing towels, bedding, upholstery and bedding.

Amid the current pandemic, a global consciousness has emerged that is placing greater emphasis on the need for good hygiene practices and the role as well as responsibility of the individual in preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Within the new global reality that is demanding extra vigilance when it comes to public health, antimicrobial fabrics and garments can play a key role in protecting the public and healthcare workers in hospitals, nursing homes, schools and beyond.

Increased awareness about the impact of textile and garment production on the environment has seen greater scrutiny being placed on the textile production process from the selection of fibers down to the dyeing and finishing process. Traditionally, the fabric dyeing process uses large volumes of water and produces significant amounts of wastewater which contain harmful chemicals that if not handled correctly, find their way into rivers and waterways thus harming the natural ecosystem. The concern over the harmful effects of irresponsible fabric dyeing practices has led to a number of forced shutdowns by environmental inspectors across China & in Bandung, Indonesia, forcing textile sourcing agents and buyers to examine the practices in place in their textile production chain. Below are some of key characteristics to look for when selecting a fabric dyeing mill as well as choices that can greatly enhance the environmental sustainability of your textile production footprint.

Wastewater treatment

Wastewater is an inevitable biproduct of the textile production cycle given its requirement for textile processing, dyeing and printing with the dyeing process accounting for 15-20% of the total wastewater flow. The World Bank estimates that 17-20% of industrial water pollution comes from textile dyeing and finishing treatments given to fabrics while the resulting wastewater contains 72 harmful chemicals on average, 30 of which cannot be removed. The past decade has seen marked improvements in how textile and dyeing mills handle their wastewater and the chemical effluents from the dyeing process which can include physical, chemical and biological methods. Some of the options available include adsorption, reverse osmosis, nanotechnology, ultrafiltration, ozonation and crystallisation among various others which use different approaches to removing toxic substances from the water and purifying it, which enables it to be reused. Given the water intensive nature of textile dyeing, production processes that employ technologies to minimize the level of water consumption as well as recycle water should therefore be a priority when selecting a textile manufacturer.

OEKO-TEX® Certified

Always look for an OEKO-TEX® certified textile manufacture or dyeing mill; OEKO-TEX® is a worldwide certification system for environmentally friendly and socially responsible production facilities in the textile and clothing industry. The STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® is a worldwide consistent, independent testing and certification system for raw, semi-finished, and finished textile products at all processing levels, as well as accessory materials used. To obtain OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification, textiles needs to be free from more than 100 substances known to be harmful to human health. In addition to the certification, check the use of any substances of very high concern (SVHC) listed in REACH, the substances listed in the Restricted Substance List (RSL) of the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA), and the limited or restricted chemicals and the limit values listed in Oeko-Tex Standard 100.

By knowing the composition of the dyestuffs being used by the textile manufacturer or dyeing mill, you can better understand the quality of the chemicals being employed such as the use of pigments as opposed to synthetic dyes and better assess not only their quality, but also their environmental impact.

Digital Printing

Digital printing is the direct printing of colours and patterns onto fabric using design software, large-format printers, and specialty inks made with pigments or dyes. Digital printing is an alternative to standard screen printing, which uses a constrained colour palette and requires separate stencils as well as production steps for each colour that is being used. Digital printing is much faster than screen printing and is becoming increasingly popular for creating textiles and garments with patterns that are required by the high street fast fashion industry as small runs can be completed in a short space of time. Furthermore, digital printing on polyester uses a two-step dye sublimation process that is almost waterless. The pattern is first printed on transfer paper; heat then turns the colour into a cloud of gas, which bonds with the softened polyester.

Fabric Choice

Environmental sustainability in the textile and apparel supply chain has seen a number of innovations in textile composition including fabrics from natural and recycled fibres such as Repreve and Tencel in addition to the increased cultivation of organic cotton which uses less water. Fabric choice also plays a decisive role in the dyeing process as different fabric types take up dye more easily and therefore require fewer washes to achieve colour fastness thus producing less wastewater. Cotton for example only has a dye fixation rate of 75% due to the negative charge of the fabric surface meaning that is requires several water baths including at least one at a high temperature to achieve colour fixation. Producing 1kg of dyed cotton uses 200 litres of water. This contrasts with polyester which has a 99% dye fixation rate, wool with 85% and viscose with a rate of 85-90% therefore requiring lower temperatures and water volumes to achieve the desired result. Fabric blends that maintain the specifications in terms of fit, drape and performance of your textile specifications are therefore the ideal route to ensuring colour accuracy. quality and fastness while also reducing the amount of water and energy required for the end product.