I-protect came about very organically, it’s really a situation where one thing lead to another!
The name i-protect was inspired by one particular hash tag and slogan “Stay Home Save Lives”, which in a nutshell transpired into i-protect you, you protect me, hence the term i-protect.
i-protect came into being as lockdown restrictions began to ease in India, for many the fears associated with going out started becoming real. The worries of going back to work, using trains, busses or taxi’s or even hoping on to plane have become daunting thoughts.
However, using medical grade P.P.E is not feasible and should be reserved for our medical and front line heroes. Hence, i-protect looked solely into fabric masks and antimicrobial fabric for protective garments as it was the need of the hour.
GOALS:
The 4 main objectives i-protect stands for is Reusable, Biodegradable, Sustainable, Affordability
i-protect hopes to bring innovative products in the future that provide protection – we are now working on sustainable eco –friendly apparel with a launch set in end of March 2021
The Product Journey so far: Masks
Did you know, pollution increases the risk of respiratory infections, heart disease and lung cancer? In India alone over 1.5 million deaths have been caused due to air pollution.
Denim Mask Collection:
We purposefully chose Denim as the fabric for our i-protect masks for both adults and kids. According to the Smart Air studies Denim is in the top 5 recommended material choice, for its ability to be breathable and its filtration effectiveness.
Our handmade double layer masks are of 120 Gsm Denim, with a filter pocket. We have Men’s mask that have a wider coverage area, women’s masks are all either embroidered or have vintage appliques. The kid’s masks are also embroidered with a general theme we like to call the animal collection.
For added protection all our masks include PM2.5 replaceable filter with Activated Carbon, having a Bacterial Filtration Efficiency of 99.7%. The filter helps to protect against bacteria, pollution, pollen, dust and industrial emissions.
Hemp:
Our Hemp Masks are our joy and pride, not only is the fabric milled from Hemp grown in India, the masks are also made by the women of uttrakand with the Hemp Foundation of India. Hemp fabric is extraordinary. The irregular hollow core of hemp fabric is unique as it helps to trap particulates and microbes which make this the perfect choice for non-medical face masks as they are naturally antibacterial, have natural antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties. These hemp masks have incredible qualities, they are not only naturally resistant to mold & mildew, and they also have the ability to protect from harmful UV-A and UV-B sun rays. Hemp is very strong and durable; in fact it is three times stronger than cotton, so you can be certain that your mask will be able to stand the test of time.
One of the greatest reasons for focusing on Hemp is that it is also biodegradable. According to the recent environmental studies around the world an estimated 100 + billion disposable face masks are discarded improperly and many end up in our oceans and lands that can take up to 450 years decompose.
These masks have been made from Indian hemp, grown organically, they are completely chemical free. Our masks have also been designed with a filter pocket, giving a person a choice to further protect themselves not only from viruses and bacteria, but also from pollution which has very negative effects on our respiratory system.
Our hemp masks are not dyed, they come in natural colors, and we have 4 colors in all sizes ranging from extra small to large. We have definitely focused a lot on the extra small size for children as it is a much safer and natural fabric for kids to wear.
Anti-Droplet Bucket Hats:
We certainly cannot claim that this is an original idea, but it’s definitely a more trendy way to wear a shield especially for children and the elderly. It provides a double layer of protection with a mask.
These stylish bucket hats are made using 100% cotton fabric, making them lightweight, sweat absorbent and comfortable to wear. The hats can also be used by themselves to complete an outfit or protect you from the sun. The Anti-droplet hats come with a detachable transparent bezel design P.E.T Visor, which provides a wide and clear view, while it helps to effectively block aerial droplets especially when in crowded areas, where social distancing cannot be maintained.
The hats are all handmade; the shields are 200 micron P.E.T sheets making them reusable and easy to clean. The hats are completely unisex with colors available from Black, Navy Blue, Bottle Green, Red, White and Beige, Pink, Yellow.
Multi-Purpose Protective Jackets
i-protect launches its newest product of a multi-purpose protective jacket, made with hydrophobic nanotechnology. Make this your Travel Jacket, Rain Jacket, School Jacket or Errand Jacket. The i-protect jacket provides multi-purpose protection, its smart and most importantly it is reusable.
Features & Benefits:
The i-protect multi-purpose protective jacket is made with hydrophobic nanotechnology which makes this a reusable jacket; hence it works out as an economical purchase for the long run.Hydrophobic coatings are seeing a boon in the fabric industry essentially due to its ability to provide a dry barrier with moisture repelling properties.This is the perfect outdoor jacket, it acts as a Windcheater with high abrasion resistance which is great for camping, hiking, mountain climbing, biking.The i-protect Jacket is completely suited for the rain as it repels water which means that liquids simply does not penetrate into the jacket, they bead up and roll off.The most important characteristic of this jacket is that it is antimicrobial and anti-droplet. We have had the fabric tested and has passed the En 14126 (This is the European Standard test required for reusable use of protective clothing against infective agents), as well as Tested & Passed the ISO 16603 (Test method for measuring the penetration resistance of materials using synthetic blood.
The fabric offers numerous advantages such as being Antimicrobial, Water Repellent, Anti-Droplet, Abrasion Resistance, Ease Of Movement, Low Maintenance, Light weight
Make The Switch To Reusable:
An estimated 6,000 kilos of Bio Waste predominantly of Disposal gowns and PPE are incorrectly disposed at our airport PER DAYs, leading to cross contamination, segregation issues at source and creating burden on the environment. Did you know…it is estimated that it will take 500 years for all this waste to decompose!This is a Personal Protective Garment, to be worn out of personnel preference; we do not make any claims that this is a medical devise. This Multi-purpose Jacket will certainly help minimize (but may not eliminate) exposure to COVID-19 and other diseases. Please wear a mask and follow all the necessary guidelines set out by The Health Ministry (MoHFW) & WHO, including social distancing and other public health measures.