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Corning Seeks Nod for COVID-19 Coating Tech
Materials science company Corning Incorporated announced earlier this month that under test methods approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, paints and coatings with the company’s a glass-ceramic technology had shown to kill more than 99.9% of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
Reportedly, Corning is now working with PPG as it seeks EPA registration for the paint formulated with the technology, Corning Guardiant.
“We strive to create innovations that make the world a better place,” said Wendell P. Weeks, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Corning Incorporated.
“Our scientists have developed this unique paint additive using our highly engineered glass-ceramic technology. We are excited about the new lab results and look forward to working with our valued partner PPG.”
The Tests
According to the company, the tests provide the first demonstration of highly durable antimicrobial activity against SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, the antimicrobial efficacy remained active even after tests simulating six years of scrubbing. (The tests were designed to account for the cleaning that a surface could be subjected to over time.)
Corning Guardiant contains copper, which has been shown to exhibit antimicrobial efficacy when applied to surfaces, consistently reducing germs on contact.
Corning is now reportedly collaborating with paint and coatings manufacturers around the world, including PPG, to develop products containing Corning Guardiant that meet governmental and regulatory requirements.
Subject to EPA approval, PPG’s antiviral product will be available under the name “Copper Armor.”
“PPG is proud to partner with Corning to continue innovating and creating solutions that address our customers’ greatest needs,” said Michael H. McGarry, PPG Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
“We know that now more than ever, our customers are seeking multiple layers of protection as they navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Following registration with the EPA, we look forward to launching a paint product in the coming months that contains Corning Guardiant, providing customers with an additional safeguard from the Coronavirus in areas that pose a higher health risk.”
According to Corning, the results of the SARS-CoV-2 testing on coatings containing Corning Guardiant were recently obtained by Luisa Ikner in Professor Charles Gerba’s lab at the University of Arizona. Following U.S. EPA recommendations that test methods mimic in-use conditions for antimicrobial surface materials seeking claims against harmful germs, the lab “used stringent test methods that simulated realistic contamination, which is dry and invisible,” the company noted.
In addition to the SARS-CoV-2 results, Corning also published research on Corning Guardiant demonstrating the killing of other bacteria and viruses with greater than 99.9% efficacy in under two hours, including gram positive bacteria (such as Staphylococcus aureus), gram negative bacteria (such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and non-enveloped viruses (such as murine norovirus).
