Healthy Textile · Project

Permanent Antibacterial Textile Coating That Prevents Hospital Infections

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Imagine if every hospital bed sheet, gown, and curtain could kill bacteria on contact — permanently, even after hundreds of washes. That's what Sonovia built. They use ultrasonic waves to blast zinc-oxide particles deep into fabric fibers, creating a permanent antibacterial shield. It works on any textile type, survives industrial laundering, and kills bacteria, viruses, fungi — even antibiotic-resistant superbugs.

By the numbers

5 million

patients affected by hospital-acquired infections in Europe annually

50,000

deaths per year in Europe from hospital-acquired infections

€7 billion

annual direct cost burden of hospital-acquired infections in Europe

500 m/s

micro jet-stream velocity of the sono-coating cavitation process

€2,352,875

EU contribution for scaling and market deployment

The business problem

What needed solving

Hospital-acquired infections affect about 5 million patients in Europe every year and kill approximately 50,000, costing healthcare systems €7 billion annually in direct costs. Hospital textiles — bed sheets, gowns, curtains — are identified as a primary transmission vector, and current antimicrobial treatments either wash out quickly, only work on specific fabrics, or are too expensive for widespread adoption.

The solution

What was built

Sonovia developed a patented zinc-oxide antibacterial coating process called 'Sono-Coating' that uses ultrasonic cavitation to permanently impregnate any textile with antimicrobial properties. The project included execution of industrial trials with analysis and validation of results, plus two additional deliverables supporting commercialization.

Audience

Who needs this

Hospital groups and healthcare facility operators fighting infection ratesMedical textile manufacturers looking for a durable antibacterial treatmentIndustrial laundry companies serving healthcare clientsElderly care and nursing home operatorsMilitary and emergency services requiring hygienic textile supplies

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Healthcare & Hospital Services

enterprise

Target: Hospital groups and healthcare facility managers

If you are a hospital group dealing with hospital-acquired infections costing your system millions annually — this project developed a permanent zinc-oxide antibacterial textile coating that eliminates bacteria, viruses, and fungi from bed linens, gowns, and curtains. In Europe, about 5 million patients suffer from these infections every year, with direct costs reaching €7 billion. This coating survives industrial washing and works on all textile types.

Medical Textile Manufacturing

mid-size

Target: Textile manufacturers supplying hospitals and healthcare facilities

If you are a textile manufacturer looking to differentiate your medical fabric products — this project developed a patented sono-coating process that permanently impregnates zinc-oxide antibacterial properties into any fabric type. The technology uses cavitation to create micro jet-streams at over 500 meters per second, embedding the coating so deeply it withstands industrial laundering cycles. This opens a market driven by €7 billion in annual HAI-related costs in Europe alone.

Industrial Laundry Services

mid-size

Target: Commercial laundry companies serving hospitals and care facilities

If you are an industrial laundry provider serving healthcare clients worried about cross-contamination between patients — this project created a textile coating that remains antibacterial even after repeated industrial washes. With about 50,000 deaths per year in Europe linked to hospital-acquired infections, your healthcare clients face growing pressure to ensure textiles are not transmission vectors. Offering textiles treated with this durable antibacterial coating adds a measurable safety layer to your service.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What does this coating cost compared to standard antimicrobial textile treatments?

The project describes the technology as 'cost effective' compared to existing solutions, but specific pricing per meter or per treatment is not disclosed in the available project data. Given it is an SME-funded commercialization project with trial validation completed, pricing would likely be available directly from Sonovia.

Can this be applied at industrial scale to large textile volumes?

Yes. The technology was developed specifically for industrial application — it uses an ultrasonic cavitation process that can treat textiles in a continuous production flow. The SME Instrument Phase 2 funding (€2,352,875) was specifically for scaling and market deployment, and the project included execution of industrial trials.

Is the technology patented and how can we license it?

Yes, the zinc-oxide sono-coating technology is explicitly described as patented and claimed as a world-first. Licensing or commercial partnership terms would need to be negotiated directly with Sonovia LTD, the sole owner and developer.

Does this coating meet healthcare textile regulations in the EU?

The project was funded under the EU's EIC SME Instrument specifically for market-ready solutions, and included trial execution with analysis and validation of results. Based on available project data, specific regulatory certifications (e.g., CE marking for medical devices) are not detailed but would be expected given the commercialization focus.

How long does the antibacterial effect last through washing?

The coating is described as 'permanent' and 'durable for industrial washings.' The zinc-oxide is physically impregnated into textile fibers using micro jet-streams at over 500 meters per second, which embeds the active material deeply rather than applying a surface layer. Specific wash-cycle counts are not stated in the available data.

Does it work on all fabric types or only specific materials?

The technology is described as applicable to 'all textile types' — both natural and synthetic fabrics. This is highlighted as a key differentiator, as most existing antimicrobial treatments only work on specific fabric compositions.

What infections does it protect against?

The coating eliminates bacteria, viruses, and fungi, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria (superbugs). It targets nosocomial infections — hospital-acquired infections that affect about 5 million patients per year in Europe and cause approximately 50,000 deaths annually.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a single-company project: Sonovia LTD, an Israeli SME that is both the sole coordinator and the only consortium member. The 100% industry composition with no university or research partners indicates the technology is past the research stage and the funding was used entirely for commercial scaling and market validation. The €2,352,875 EU investment went directly to the company developing and commercializing the product, which typically signals higher technology readiness. For a business buyer, this means you would be dealing directly with the technology owner — no complex multi-party IP negotiations.

Sonovia LTDCoordinator · IL

How to reach the team

Sonovia LTD (Israel) — contact via company website sonoviatech.com

Order a report on this consortium See Sonovia LTD profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to Sonovia's team to discuss licensing or supply of antibacterial textiles for your facilities? SciTransfer can arrange a direct meeting.

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