The NSG Group, parent company to Pilkington United Kingdom Limited, is fast tracking its research into producing glass with an antiviral coating.
The NSG Group is looking to help specifiers find new ways of reducing the transmission of viruses within buildings and transport.
The glass giant’s research into anti-microbial glass was already at an advanced stage prior to the COVID–19 pandemic. But the outbreak has made it a key priority for the business’ UK research and development (R&D) team based in Lathom, Lancashire.
Its work has been supported by a grant from Innovate UK, as part of its £40 million of funding to help drive forward technological advances which address new challenges from COVID–19.
The team is studying how coatings can effectively reduce viral loads on a glass surface. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), coronaviruses can live on surfaces anywhere from two hours to nine days. The survival time depends on a number of factors, including the type of surface, temperature, relative humidity and specific strain of the virus.
A glass with antiviral properties is expected to help control viruses in areas like shopping centres, hospitals, care homes, schools and public transport. It will also help to make touch screen devices safer.
As part of the research, Pilkington United Kingdom Limited is looking at how an antiviral layer can be combined with other functionality glass, such as solar control to further extend its applications.
Dr Neil McSporran, global portfolio manager at NSG Group, commented: “Curbing the transmission of viruses will be a priority for those who design and manage buildings and transportation for years to come, not least until a vaccine for COVID–19 is found.
“Reducing infection via surfaces that the virus lives on will be an important part of any strategy organisations have to control the virus. This is where antiviral glass would play an important role in reducing the spread of a virus – limiting viral load on high-touch surfaces, like the inside of a bus window or a shopping centre door.”
Contact:
Pilkington United Kingdom Limited,
Greengate Works,
Sherdley Road,
St. Helens,
Merseyside,
United Kingdom,
WA9 5 DZ
Phone: 01744 692000
Fax: 01744 692569
Visit Pilkington Building Products' website
This article sees the MCRMA discuss how independent inspectors can help minimise risk and maximise project efficiency…
Posted in Articles, Building Associations & Institutes, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Regulations & Accreditations, Building Services, Building Systems, Cladding, Facades, Facility Management & Building Services, Health & Safety, Research & Materials Testing, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Roofs, WallsMitsubishi Electric, the UK’s largest heat pump manufacturer, is proud to announce that its Training Centre in Hatfield has been approved as a LCL Level 3 training centre for air source heat pumps.
Posted in Articles, Awards, Building Associations & Institutes, Building Industry Events, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Regulations & Accreditations, Building Services, Case Studies, Facility Management & Building Services, Heating Systems, Controls and Management, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning - HVAC, Pipes & Fittings, Plumbing, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Site Preparation, Sustainability & Energy Efficiency, TrainingCEO of Purplex Marketing, Andrew Scott discusses the potential dangers of relying solely on AI-generated content for brand marketing in 2025 and argues that, while it’s a powerful tool, AI must be used with caution.
Posted in Articles, Building Industry News, Building Services, Information Technology, Innovations & New Products, news, Research & Materials TestingStannah, a leading UK lift supplier, has won the special purpose lifts category in Elevator World’s Project of the Year Awards, for the lift solution supplied to Grade I Listed Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) restoration project.
Posted in Accessibility, Articles, Awards, Building Industry Events, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Services, Case Studies, Facility Management & Building Services, Health & Safety, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation