28 April 2021
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Panasonic has announced further details of how its air purifying nanoe X technology is helping to improve protection and inhibit the growth of certain viruses – including SARS CoV-2 – and driving European air conditioning sales.
An event in Germany brought together executives associated with the technology, including Akihito Hirohata from the Panasonic nanoe X R&D team, plus Bruno Boisson and Luck Ty from viral research organisation Texcell.
Both virus specialists explained how the nanoe X device had not only removed the novel Coronavirus from a gauze in a 45l box, but also that using Panasonic’s Etherea air conditioning unit in a 6.7m3 room-sized testing chamber, they tested and proved that the technology inhibited the new Coronavirus in 8 hours by more than 90% and in 24 hours by 99.78%.
Uwe Sprengart from Panasonic Technical explained: “One of the key reasons that nanoe X is so effective is that the particles work within the air, but are also effective on surfaces and within fabrics. You just have to search for ‘hydroxyl radicals, detergent of the atmosphere’ and you will see several reputable sources, including NASA, referencing this.
"Air purification occurs outside of the air conditioning unit by actively propelling hydroxyl radicals into the room. This inhibits proactively certain bacteria, viruses and smells where they occur and doesn’t fight them only when being sucked into the aircon unit itself.
“This is a different method compared to devices that neutralise air passing through the devices, and which require periodic filter cleaning to maintain the claimed properties. The fact that these particles can then land on surfaces and penetrate textiles to reduce the odours, and inhibit bacteria, mould and certain viruses, is a game changer.”
Enrique Vilamitjana, managing director, Panasonic Europe, spoke about some of the new business opportunities nanoe X is driving. He said that nanoe X is a key element in air conditioning sales increasing by almost 50% in the models with this technology, and he sees this trend continuing in both residential and commercial markets and across all the main regions in Europe.
Paul Aitchinson, product manager and technical expert for Panasonic, outlined the expansion of the company’s commercial product portfolio. He said: “nanoe X technology provides us with endless opportunities for different rooms and spaces, for a cleaner environment. We want our customers to challenge us with different uses and potential applications, where we can investigate, test and optimise. The future is looking very bright for nanoe X technology.”
Panasonic announced that a dedicated nanoe X information hub website will be launching in early May.
