A new coated glass product designed by the NSG Group to help reduce the transmission of microbes via surfaces in shared spaces and public transport, is ready for launch after its antimicrobial properties were verified through independent third-party testing.
The launch of the new glass product, Pilkington Sanitise, follows the Pilkington’s Lancashire based research and development team fast tracking its research into antimicrobial coatings in the wake of the pandemic. The work was supported by testing at leading UK universities.
Pilkington Sanitise is a transparent coated glass that’s activated through UV radiation. When the glass is exposed to UV light, its antimicrobial activity is significantly increased compared to using uncoated glass.
Pilkington Sanitise has a pyrolytic coating, which provides antimicrobial properties and acts against enveloped viruses on the glass surface.
The coated glass provides extra protection for any high-touch surfaces that are exposed to UV light. The company says it’s suited for building facades in the commercial, healthcare, education, retail and hospitality sectors, as the insulating glass unit’s (IGU) interior surface on any exterior wall system. It’s also designed for use in all types of public transport such as buses, trains and passenger boats.
Pilkington Sanitise is available on multiple tints, and thicknesses. According to Pilkington, the durable pyrolytic on-line coating lasts the lifetime of the glass and can be toughened, laminated, bent or processed into insulating glass units using standard techniques. The product is also reported to be compatible with harsh commercial grade cleaning products and is ‘highly resistant’ to corrosion, mechanical and chemical damage.
Neil McSporran, global portfolio manager – Incubator Program, at the NSG Group, said “Some viruses can live on glass surfaces for days if left untreated, creating a risk for people to become infected through contact transmission.
“Pilkington Sanitise ultimately helps to reduce the chances of this happening, which could make a big difference in high-touch applications such as shopping centre doorways or the passenger window of a bus, for example.
“Obtaining third party verification of the coatings effectiveness is a huge milestone, which represents a major push by our UK-based R&D team to respond to the very new challenges that the built environment and transport faces in the wake of the pandemic.”
