LOCAL nitrogen generation equipment maker Nitralife recently supplied Nannochem, a manufacturer of nano-active, antimicrobial sanitisers and misters, with one of its nitrogen generators.
“With more than 24 years of nitrogen generator manufacturing knowledge, we are now expanding our solutions across a number of industries. Through our relationship with Nannochem, we are pleased to enter into the healthcare sector,” said Nitralife Managing Director Tom Sowry.
Nannochem Chief Executive Officer Russel Hawkins said the deal had the added advantage for them of being able to access on-site and on-demand nitrogen production of nitrogen used in the production processes.
He said that in addition to water, their products include the use of nanno titanium, copper, silver, tungsten and hydrogen peroxide to rapidly attack the DNA of bacteria, and the bilipid membrane, proteins, nucleic acid and RNA of envelope viruses.
These products are the HydroMist Timer Spray and HydroMist Mister, which are nano-activated anti-microbial misters that prevent the airborne and surface transmission of pathogens. The company also manufactures HydroCare, a top-up disinfectant which is used to disinfect surfaces to prevent the surface transmission of bacteria and viruses.
“Nitrogen plays a key role in the production of these products, and therefore the benefits of having on-site nitrogen generation – available on-demand, 24 x 7 – will be tremendously advantageous to Nannochem moving forward,” said Hawkins.
“We needed to be able to ensure on-demand nitrogen production. In addition, the supply needed to be scalable. The combination of our requirement plus Nitralife’s nitrogen generation capabilities created the perfect solution for us.”
He said the nano titanium, silver, copper and tungsten content in Nannochem’s products is well within the safe limit of five parts per million (PPM). “Furthermore, they have been tested and certified in accordance with European and South African safety standards – and have been proven to kill even the most resilient superbugs, bacterial spores and fungi which they have been tested on.”
He said HydroMist in particular had been efficacy-tested by the University of the Free State, and found to have a 100% kill rate against a cocktail of deadly airborne pathogens, while being completely safe to be used around humans and animals.
“Everything in our product range has been backed by meticulous scientific research and testing – and is supported by the necessary evidence and certifications. Our HydroMist product was specifically engineered to inactivate all airborne strains of the COVID-19 virus – disrupting the replication function of the spike proteins which form part of the structure of this virus.”
Hawkins cited the example of one of his clients, a frail care old age home which had been severely affected by COVID-19 in the middle of last year, resulting in a number of fatalities:
“We approached the management of the old age home and suggested that they trial our HydroMist product. They agreed, and we installed the product throughout the premises. The trial was extremely successful and some 14 months later… there have been no further fatalities or COVID-19 infections within the home since. HydroMist also demonstrated a significant reduction in the airborne transmission of influenza and general bacterial infections in the home.”
He believes that HydroMist will also play an important role in the fight against drug-resistant ‘super-bugs’ in places such as hospitals and nursing homes.
