Following over 12 months of development work, Northern Flags has completed the printing, treatment and installation of a 20m x 10m banner on the University of Sheffield’s Alfred Denny Building in the centre of Sheffield that turns textiles into a catalytic surface that purifies the air around it.
The banner has been manufactured using pioneering catalytic technology developed by the University’s Pro-Vice Chancellor for the Faculty of Science, Professor Tony Ryan and features the world’s first Catalytic poem written by the University’s Professor of Poetry, Simon Armitage.
After a series of comprehensive tests, the 20m high banner was printed utilising dye-sublimation techniques on a specially selected fabric to allow the absorption of catalytic chemicals.
The banner contains microscopic pollution-eating particles of titanium dioxide, which, after coming into contact with nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere, react with these pollutants to purify the air. It effectively cleans the air while it is being displayed and it is fully recyclable after use.
Iain Clasper, managing director of Northern Flags, said: “This has been an exciting project to be involved with and has capitalised on our group’s ability to work with clients on innovative projects. We are excited about this development as this now gives us the opportunity to work with our clients to roll out this type of treatment on their external marketing banners."