A small and medium-sized enterprise from South Korea has commercialized a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film that is able to kill COVID-19. Because the film can be used at various public places in addition to being used as protective film for the screen of IT devices, it is expected to minimize spread of COVID-19 through contact.
R&F Chemical announced on Sunday that it has developed a film technology that is able to kill 99% of COVID-19 within 30 minutes.
The company’s film is made through nanotechnology that combines inorganic component to copper-based antiviral PET film and it was recently certified by a South Korean research institute. Although the film combines substances other than copper, it boasts high transparency as its haze level is within 4%.
A representative from R&F Chemical said that the company’s technology is the first in the world that has secured transparency and is antiviral at the same time and that the company completed applying for international patents related to the technology.
The company said that the film can be utilized for various purposes as it also guarantees durability. Not only is the film can be used to protect the screen of various IT products such as smartphone and laptop, but it can also be utilized to stop spread of COVID-19 at various public places.
The company also said that the film can be used as a clothing material. The film is also not very expensive as it only cost 10% more than antibacterial PET films that are currently sold on the market.
“We have continuously researched for a technology that can kill COVID-19 by upgrading existing antibacterial technologies.” said CEO Park Dong-il of R&F Chemical. “Because the film is also sold at stores that sell household items, families will also be able to easily come across the film as well.”
R&F Chemical, which develops various products based on its chemical and nanotechnologies, has already released more than 20 different products under its antibacterial and antiviral brand called ‘Magicopper’. It made $25 million (28 billion KRW) in sales last year and is looking to go public through NASDAQ.
Staff Reporter Kang, Hyeryung | kang@etnews.com