Versarien plc (AIM: VRS), the advanced materials engineering group, has provided an update on recent developments with regard to the Company’s graphene enhanced face masks.
As reported in the Company’s interim results announced on 21 January 2021, the Company’s wholly owned Chinese subsidiary, Beijing Versarien Technology Company Limited, has been working with its partner on further developments of the masks. This included the testing of a prototype second generation graphene enhanced face mask conducted in China at the Analytical and Testing Centre of Capital Regions which showed a 99.92% anti-viral activity rate against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
In a further development, the Company is pleased to report that, after testing of prototypes of the latest version of the mask, which is a non-valve mask, it has been certified as meeting the FFP3 standard, the highest standard under the European EN149 standard for filtering half face masks.
The FFP3 certification process, included, inter alia, the testing of the packaging, the robustness of the material, its practical performance, total inward leakage, breathing resistance, clogging, compatibility with skin and the carbon dioxide content of the inhalation air. In order to meet the criteria to be certified as a FFP3 mask, the mask had to pass all the relevant tests, including demonstrating less than 2% inward leakage and the filtering of at least 99% of particulate matter.
The testing, to the European EN149 standard, has been carried out in China by SGS-CSTC Standards Technical Services Co. Ltd a joint venture founded in 1991 between SGS Group, a world leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, and China Standard Science and Technology Group. Further information on SGS in China may be found at https://www.sgsgroup.com.cn/en/our-company/about-sgs/sgs-in-brief/sgs-in-china
Neill Ricketts, CEO of Versarien, commented: “We are delighted that the latest version of our mask has passed the rigorous FFP3 testing process. Whilst we currently have an FFP2 mask on sale that we believe compares very well with other masks available, being able to offer a non-valve FFP3 mask with anti-viral properties is a significant further step and we intend to bring these masks to the market as soon as possible.”
