Powder Finish for Health Protection

The air purification system is a purist, mobile unit with slim dimensions of around 60 cm in width and depth and 160 cm in height. One Vire Wall unit is sufficient for air purification of a room up to 300 m² in size. Seven different high-performance filters and a UV-C light purification unit have been installed in the steel shell with its soft, seamless edges. The optimized interaction of all components has been clinically proven to remove 99.995 % of air pollutants from the air drawn in.

Vire Wall not only removes odors and allergens such as pollen, but also all classes of microbes, from fungi to bacteria and viruses, from the breathable gas. The virtually pure air that escapes the unit is combined with other benefits. At 33 to 64 dB, Vire Wall operates quietly, is energy efficient, and can be operated intuitively by any lay-person with just three switches. But for Vire Wall, another extra was important to make the product development well-rounded: “Our Vire Walls are right in the middle of life, whether in offices, schools and kindergardens, hotels and restaurants, healthcare facilities or critical infrastructure,” they say. “Of course, people touch them there. That’s why we really wanted to make sure that the unit surfaces were also maximally hygienic.”

Varnish with built-in protection against microbes

IOS, a specialist in mechanical and plant engineering as well as surface technology, has been working with Brillux Industrial Coatings for years for pro duct finishes. “We described our ideas and Nikola Stefan Rukavina, our technical advisor from Brillux, recommended a coating solution that fit our requirement profile perfectly: Steriface powder coatings,” says Karol Knop. The polyester and epoxy resin-based product, which is available in different variants, was developed and certified as a functional and decorative coating with maximum disinfectant resistance, easy cleanability and above-average light resistance for applications in the medical sector.

The highlight: Silver ions are permanently integrated into the powder coating matrix. They kill bacteria and fungi by blocking specific enzymes and thus the metabolism of these germs, reducing their adhesion to the substrate and preventing them from multiplying. Steriface powder coatings thus produce antimicrobial surfaces – and permanently: “Tests have shown that Steriface surfaces lose none of their antimicrobial effect even after 10,000 cleaning cycles with cleaning agents and disinfectants,” emphasizes Nikola Stefan Rukavina. This means that Steriface powder coating is recommended for many other areas of application in highly frequented and public spaces – from bus hand rails to door and window handles to ticket machines or elevators. Steriface powder coatings are available in various gloss levels and a wide range of colors.

Easy application – numerous effects

Without trial and error, the powder coating of the Vire Wall enclosures could go straight into series production at the production site in Bad Honnef. IOS coats all external surfaces of its air purification units with matte EP/PE 5682 Steriface powder as standard in deep black and pure white using corona spray application. For higher quantities, RAL color shades of choice are available on an individual basis. “In addition to the antimicrobial and easy-to-clean properties, as well as the noble matte look and scratch resistance of the coating, this variety of colors was important to us,” summarizes Karol Knop. There’s no question about it: the goal of creating pure air zones with optimized technology and a well-thought-out overall concept without losing sight of design and maximum user health protection, even regarding surface contacts, has been achieved with Vire Wall R 2200.