Ahlstrom’s advanced trilaminate Breathable Viral Barrier (BVB) fabric provides superior barrier protection against real world viruses causing infectious diseases such as Hepatitis, MRSA, HIV / AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and Avian Influenza. 

The fabric can be used in applications such as gowns (for operating rooms / theaters) and protective apparel (external environments).

In the US, the FDA has recognized the AAMI (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation) performance and classification standard for protective apparel, AAMI PB70, the highest performance in which is viral barrier ASTM F1671* – the Ahlstrom BVB fabric meets this requirement.

In Europe, the fabric enables producers of surgical gowns and PPE to meet the highest levels required of the Medical Device and Personal Protective Equipment Directives and related performance standards.

ASTM F1671* is the Standard Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by Blood-Borne Pathogens Using Phi-X174 Bacteriophage Penetration as a Test System. The Test System has been designed for measuring penetration of a surrogate microbe for Hepatitis (B and C) and the Human Immunodeficiency Viruses HIV. The surrogate Phi-X174 Bacteriophage, used in the test method, is similar to HCV in size and shape but also serves as a surrogate for HBV and (HIV). Inferences from other pathogens must be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Source: Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol. 11.03. October 2002

Ahlstrom’s BVB fabric is a trilaminate polypropylene composite material with breathable monolithic film. It is strong with good softness, high breathability, and provides excellent barrier properties. 

The outer layer provides strength

The middle layer is a responsive, monolithic membrane that provides an impervious barrier and remains breathable at all times.

The inner layer provides a soft touch to the wearer’s skin

Benefits of Ahlstrom BVBinclude:

• Abrasion and puncture resistant
• Barrier to liquid and viruses
• Cool and comfortable
• Lightweight

• No noise
• Soft and strong
• Suitable for EtO sterilization
• Virtually lint free

Ahlstrom BVB is not recommended to be used as a facemask material. Ahlstrom does manufacture inner and outer facemask coverstock for use in facemask production. 

We offer a range of products for the global surgical drape and gown market using composite, hydroentangled, spunbond, spunmelt composite and wetlaid technologies.

Our fabrics are available in a wide variety of different qualities, colors and compositions and can be customized to meet individual requirements.

The benefits of our drape and gown fabrics include:

Customized level of barrier protection (viral, bacterial and fluid)
Compatibility with most sterilization processes
Single use: no compromise on quality
Excellent drapeability
Comfort
Virtually lint-free
Compliance with global standards

Ahlstrom facemask inner and outer cover stock is a lightweight and highly breathable wetlaid fabric. It has been designed to be gentle and not to irritate the skin even when worn for long periods of time.

Ahlstrom Sterile Barrier Systems (SBS) are at the forefront of patient safety and the upholding of international guidelines and universal precautions. Our fabrics are designed to protect a wide variety of medical devices.

We offer a range of crepe, nonwoven and plasma wrap (SMS) products, the benefits of which include:

Appropriate strength for each different application
Suitable SBS available for any sterilization process
All products interleaved
Proven bacterial barrier
Uniformity for immediate detection of pinholes
Memory-free
Single-use only
Maximum softness for maximum efficiency
Virtually lint-free
Fulfill the Global ISO and European Standards for Sterile Barrier Systems