The award-winning masks were developed by researchers from Lodz University of Technology from the Institute of Materials Science of Polymer Textiles and Composites in cooperation with the Central Institute for Labour Protection and the Institute of Biopolymers and Chemical Fibres under the Biogratex project led by Professor Izabella Krucińska.
The innovative and environmentally friendly masks were created at the Faculty of Material Technologies and Textile Design at TUL. The distinctive feature of the masks is that they disappear in compost conditions after just 6 weeks. They are made of biodegradable polyactide - a polymer obtained through the synthesis of lactic acid and contain a special filter that stops up to 95 percent
of impurities and pathogens. Scientists are now working on the antiviral function of the mask.
The INNOVATIONS 2021 ranking is divided into four categories: namely the best ecological, social, service and quality solutions. The event is held under the honorary patronage of the Ministry of Development, Labour and Technology and the Ministry of State Assets. The media patron of the ranking is the Polish Press Agency.
Multimedia Centre of Lodz University of Technology prepared a video - "Biodegradable masks" for the series "Czas nauki" [Time of Science] on the PIONIER platform.