The medical textile sector is represented by nearly one hundred Québec companies. Most are manufacturers of needle-punched, non-woven textile materials, spinning mills, weavers and specialty knitters.
This sector's products and technical textile materials are used for first aid, rehabilitation, hygiene or clinical purposes. Here are some examples: cleaning products (cleaning wipes), wiping paper (toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, disposable washcloths and cleansing wipes), baby hygiene (diapers and cleaning wipes for personal care), feminine hygiene (sanitary pads, panty liners and tampons), incontinence (diapers and washcloths), orthopedics (plaster tape, splints and plaster accessories), wound care (surgical plaster, retention bandages, surgical/post-operative compresses and bandages/adhesive bandages), and compression therapy (compression stockings, compression bandages and hernia bands). It also includes hospital canopies, bathing chairs, masks to treat sleep apnea, underpads, hoist transfer linen and uniforms.
The properties of medical textile products vary according to their applications. Most are absorbent, adhesive or non-adhesive, antimicrobial, anti-odour, anti-perspirant, healing, compressive, durable or disposable, elastic, washable, breathable and flexible, offering a range of movement for comfort and protection against UV exposure.
More than one textile process is used in this sector, including non-woven, weaving and knitting.
Although many of these products are disposable, sustainable development is a priority for companies in this sector. Hygiene product components such as cellulosic fibres, superabsorbent polymers (sodium polyacrylate) and plastic films can be processed and upgraded to develop new liquid absorption products.
The fight against COVID brings new companies to the PPE market
In March 2020, in order to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, many textile companies - accustomed to serving other markets - mobilised and adapted their production lines to supply hospitals, Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCF) and other health institutions with personal protective equipment (PPE). At the peak of the crisis, more than 80 Québec companies were producing textile materials, washable or disposable medical gowns, surgical or procedural masks, face covers, lab coats and a multitude of bedding items.
Today, many of them maintain this production and have invested in specialized equipment. Our textile industry now relies on a complete value chain able to meet the demands and requirements of the health sector, whether it involves the manufacture of technical yarns, fabrics, dedicated coatings or treatments, textile products as well as tests, notably to confirm the level of protection (1, 2, 3, 4 or N95).
Several companies stand out in this sector, including: CDRM, Dermagate, Dristex, Duvaltex, EC3D, Essity Canada, Fempro, FilSpec, Geo. Sheard Fabrics, Hudson Supplies, Humask, Innotex, Lessard, Logistik Unicorp, Oratex, Recyc PHP, Regitex, SilverClear (Technologies TransTex), Stedfast, Texel, Textiles Monterey and Wazana Clothing.
