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Xtreme Fabrics

As part of Redwood’s ongoing commitment to meet the changing needs of the acute medical environment; we have developed Xtreme® fabric coating that delivers the best product performance for PU coated fabrics, with improved patient comfort, high resistance to chlorine and improved durability. Warranties are offered on all Xtreme® fabrics giving the user total confidence.

Xtreme is a specially developed coating formulation providing improved performance against all the requirements of the challenging environment of acute care services. We are so confident in Xtreme’s performance, we offer guarantees on the fabric performance. Xtreme has been developed to:

  • Stand up to stringent anti-bacterial requirements
  • Improve patient comfort
  • Withstand aggressive cleaning regimes
  • Exhibit anti-decubitus properties
  • Give improved durability
  • Be REACH and RoHs compliant July 2014

Redwood is at the forefront of the development of breathable, multi-stretch, polyurethane-coated fabrics. We continue to engage with clinicians to get direct input from industry professionals as their contributions are invaluable in the ongoing development of products that will meet the needs of acute care and community. 

 

Product Applications

Dynamic Mattress

Dynamic Mattress

Static Mattress

Static Mattress

Trolleys

Trolleys

Cushions

Cushions

Seating

Seating

Patient Handling Equipment

Patient Handling Equipment

Why Xtreme

You can rest assured that Xtreme Fabric Coatings are of the highest quality that both meet and surpass, all the UK and international standards* required of the product. We take pride in ensuring that the products are of the highest quality, and are rigorously tested internally as well  by external specialist companies – enough to offer product warranties on the coatings in use.

* Xtreme fabrics can be adapted to meet specific international standards.
* Xtreme fabrics can be adapted to meet local international standards

Xtreme Value

Xtreme represents real value for money compared to similar quality technical fabrics. Xtreme offers extended life compared to other traditional formulations; with an increased resilience to frequent or prolonged exposure of 10,000 ppm of active chlorine thus providing extensive financial savings.

Xtreme Development

Continual investment in research and development ensures our range of products and services are at the forefront of current technology and meet best practice standards. We actively seek input from medical professionals to ensure our continued improvement and development processes meet the needs of clinical applications and can cope with rigorous acute environments.

Xtreme Technology

Technology is at the heart of our product ranges, and our in-house development team is pushing the boundaries of fabric technology to deliver world class fit for purpose solutions to the fabric performance challenges faced on a daily basis in the hospital environment.

Xtreme Testing

We have our own in-house testing facilities to ensure that all Xtreme fabrics meet and exceed the exacting requirements of our valued customers. We also employ independent testing companies to test and verify the technical attributes of Xtreme so you know you can trust the bold statements we are making.

Xtreme Fabrics Features

Xtreme Fabric Coatings are designed to offer a range of properties to meet the challenges of the acute care market, without compromising on other functionality.

Can be high frequency welded

Technical Specification Summary

Bleach Cleanable

Bleach Cleanable

Flame Retardant

Flame Retardant

Waterproof

Waterproof

Breathable

Breathable

Wipe Clean

Wipe Clean

Antimicrobial finish

Antimicrobial finish

Machine washable

Machine washable

Biocompatibility

Bio compatibility

High abrasion resistance

High abrasion resistance

Printable

Printable

Infection Control

Xtreme Fabric Coatings incorporate infection control and anti-decubitus characteristics. Our transfer coatings provide an impenetrable barrier to viruses and bacteria. Xtreme fabrics can also be welded (when used in conjunction with the correct substrate) which produce seams that are ingress proof, minimising any risk of harbouring viruses or bacteria and transmitting infections.

Patient comfort

Xtreme Fabric Coatings are designed to address the technical requirements of the acute healthcare environment without compromising on patient comfort.

  • Multi stretch: When combined with the correct substrate, Xtreme provides multi-direction stretch which will conform to the contours of the patient and medical apparatus for maximum comfort.
  • Breathable: The moisture vapour transfer or "breathability" properties of Xtreme Fabric Coatings help improve patient comfort and contribute towards the reduction of pressure sore development.

Easy to Clean

Xtreme Fabric Coatings are built to withstand the aggressive cleaning regimes used within the acute care environment. Xtreme Fabric Coatings can be easily cleaned and decontaminated, by simply wiping down regularly with todays cleaning products.

Chemical Resistance

Acute care environments which focus on the clinical care of patients have to follow detailed cleaning protocols and need a fabric that will withstand higher levels of concentration over prolonged contact times. Higher concentrations of chlorine can accelerate the aging of traditional polyurethane fabrics. Xtreme Fabric Coatings offer extended life compared to these traditional formulations, with increased resilience to frequent or prolonged exposure of 10,000 ppm of active chlorine.

Fluid Proof

  • Xtreme Fabric Coatings are waterproof and have been vigorously tested internally and independently to simulate the demanding conditions experienced in the healthcare sector.
  • Xtreme offers excellent resistance to hydrolysis which ensures that the coating will not deteriorate during the life span of the product.
  • Xtreme when used on welded covers with the appropriate substrate, ensures the seams are both fully waterproof and ingress proof.

Pressure Relief (Anti-Decubitus)

Xtreme Fabric Coatings are designed to significantly reduce pressure sores and pressure ulcers. Our formulations reduce friction and help disperse moisture, both of which are major contributing factors to the formation of bed sores.

Durability

Xtreme Fabric Coatings are designed to offer exceptional durability without compromising on comfort. Our products have been rigorously tested for flex cracking, tensile strength & elongation, tear resistance, bursting strength and coating adhesion.

Biocompatibility

Xtreme fabric coatings have been independently tested for skin irritation, sensitisation and cytotoxicity and have gained Oeko-Tex class 1 accreditation.

Environmental Legislation

Xtreme Fabric Coatings meet the latest environmental requirements including:

  • DecaBDE and Halogen free
  • Oeko-Tex class 1
  • Reach & ROHS compliant
  • Biocidal Products Regulation compliant

Economic

Xtreme Fabric Coatings provide a number of economic advantages over other coated fabrics:

  • Wide coating capability: We are able to supply coated fabrics up to 220cm wide, reducing production costs.
  • Advanced manufacturing techniques allow efficient production, from production to coating application.
  • Extended Product Life.

Flame Retardant

  • Xtreme Fabric Coatings are flame retardant and are independently tested to ensure that they conform to UK Standards. In addition, Xtreme fabric coatings can be adapted to meet specific international standards.
  • Our formulations are Halogen free and Deca BDE free.

Technical Specification Summary

Xtreme Coatings boast an outstanding collection of technically properties that have been developed and implemented to give Xtreme a competitive advantage over other technical coatings. These technical properties include:

  • Hydrolysis resistance >1 year
  • Excellent resistance to active chlorine
  • Anti-Decubitus
  • Halogen and DECA BDE free
  • FR to BS7175 Crib 5 / Crib 7 variant available
  • Autoclave resistant
  • Dry Cleanable
  • Washable to 95°C
  • Oeko-Tex class 1
  • Cytotoxicity - Grade 2
  • Non-irritating to the skin
  • Antibacterial & Antifungal treated
  • HF Weldable
  • Durable
  • Good stretch
  • Comfortable
  • MVP (moisture vapour permeability)
  • WPR ˃5m (water penetration resistance)
Infection ControlPatient comfortEasy to CleanChemical ResistanceFluid ProofPressure Relief (Anti-Decubitus)DurabilityBiocompatibilityEnvironmental LegislationEconomicFlame RetardantTechnical Specification Summary

 

Testing

Xtreme Fabric Coatings have been independently tested to evaluate the product's performance compared with standard fabric coatings.  Testing has consistently shown that Xtreme is far more resistant to deterioration when exposed to the cleaning solutions typically encountered in acute care environments, than the standard fabric coatings.

  • Xtreme coated fabric is performance tested using Hydrostatic Head Testing apparatus to monitor the material's waterproof properties. Materials are exposed to solutions of NADCC at 10,000ppm, then tested on the HHT machine each day for a period of ten days.
  • While materials with a standard fabric coating can be seen to deteriorate quickly after exposure to solutions of this concentration, Xtreme Coated Fabric consistently retains its waterproof properties, with no signs of deterioration after the fill ten days of testing.

Testing

Testing 2

Xtreme fabric coating emerged in 10,000ppm solution of Chlorine

Testing 3

Every hour for ten days the Waterproof properties were tested against a 10m hydrostatic head

 

History

During  the last decade, there was an increased fear of MRSA and clostridium difficile outbreaks within NHS hospitals.  This resulted in a trend of increased concentration of disinfectant and a general increase in the frequency of use of these disinfectants. 

The recommended guidelines for dealing with, for example, a spillage within a medical facility, involves rinsing the affected area and treating it with a disinfectant solution consisting of 1,000ppm of chlorine.  With fear of an outbreak on the rise, several published hospital protocols and observations by member companies found that in practice, it was increasingly commonplace that concentrations of 10,000ppm were used in these circumstances.

The unforeseen consequence of this increased hygienic diligence culminated in a MHRA alert issued in January 2010.  With official guidelines outlining concentrations of disinfectant much lower than those actually being applied, equipment such as mattresses and bedsheets were becoming damaged. 

The damage caused by the strong disinfectant solutions had the potential to harbour contaminants and lead to the spread of infection.  At this time, this cause had not yet been identified and there was a perception within the NHS that the products being supplied were not fit for purpose.

 

BHTA Steering Committee

As a result, the industry association (BHTA) began a detailed investigation into the possible causes and solutions for the perceived product failure.  To this end, a steering committee was formed, consisting of member companies, and of non-member companies with expertise in given fields, such as leading cleaning chemical companies.  Among these companies, Redwood was brought in as a polyurethane coated textile and mattress cover manufacturer.  At this time, Redwood was not a member, or otherwise associated with the BHTA, beyond their role as a third tier supplier to many members of the association.

Development of Xtreme

As a result of the steering committee, Redwood recognised the need for a more resistant fabric coating.  Clearly, while the standard coatings perform well if the correct cleaning and care instructions are followed, the reality was that these coatings were being routinely exposed to far higher concentrations of cleaning chemicals as part of a reactionary trend within NHS institutions to prevent an MRSA or clostridium difficile outbreak. 

Xtreme Fabric Coatings were created to address this need.  The technology used to produce Xtreme means that covers can be decontaminated regularly using higher chemical concentrations without the fear of ingress due to premature aging.  In addition to this increased performance, Xtreme does not compromise in other areas, still maintaining excellent pressure reducing attributes and patient comfort characteristics.

Where Next?

Xtreme Fabrics Technical Fabric Medical Mattresses Specialist Medical Domestic Mattresses Patient Moving and Handling Equipment

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Textile Experts

Our experienced Customer Services team will always do their utmost to help you find the right fabric and product to suit your needs. We would be pleased to discuss your current and future projects.

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