AGC PRESENTS PLANIBEL EASY COVID: THE GLASS THAT INACTIVATES THE COVID-19 VIRUS 37.5% FASTER THAN SIMILAR SURFACES

The product is suitable for applications in outdoor environments and eliminates the virus through technology activated by daylight

Guaratinguetá, December 2021 – The AGC Group, the global leader in the production of flat glass, in its continuous search for solutions to protect the health and well-being of people and preserve society, presents its contribution and has good news to share over coated glass that helps protect against contamination by Covid-19.

Independently tested and certified, Planibel Easy is a glass with a coating (metallic coating on the surface), which was already known for its self-cleaning properties. It has now been shown that when daylight activates the coating, it also accelerates the destruction of the SARS-CoV-2 (the virus responsible for Covid-19) particles on its surface. The time required to inactivate 90% of SARS-CoV-2 viral particles is 37.5% shorter for Planibel Easy when exposed to daylight than for Float (ordinary glass) or acrylic. This means that using the product greatly reduces the risk of viral transmission when people come into contact with surfaces. Therefore, the company is relaunching the product with a new name – Planibel Easy Covid – and presenting its new functionality.

Tested and verified by universities and laboratories
A study published in the Coatings Journal, supported by AGC, was carried out on different materials ranging from metallic products to Float glass, acrylic and coated glass (Planibel Easy). The result shows the time required for the number of infectious viral particles TCID50 (2) to decrease and demonstrates that the SARS-CoV-2 viral particles remain active for a shorter time on Planibel Easy coated glass previously exposed to daylight (effect photocatalytic).

The study was carried out in an experimental environment that mimicked real-life conditions, under the responsibility of Prof. Muylkens, from the University of Namur (Belgium), and confirmed by Prof. Lucet, Dr. Visseaux and Dr. Jérémie Guedj, from INSERM/Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (France). The study used human SARS-CoV-2 real viral particles at the same concentration as the real viral load observed in a portion of patients infected with Covid-19.

Material	Average time of active virus particles (hours)	Material Average time of active virus particles (hours) Time to 90% reduction of surface viral particles (hours)
Planibel Easy exposto à luz do dia	4,1	13,5
Float (vidro comum) e acrílico	6,9	21,6
Aço inoxidável	3,5	11,9
Alumínio	2,3	7,3

 

Respiratory droplets and aerosols contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 viral particles pose a risk of indirect transmission of Covid-19. Infectious droplets on surfaces have their viral contamination decreased over time, depending on the type of material and temperature. The results show that Planibel Easy Covid is the best alternative for eliminating the virus when it comes to transparent and translucent products for outdoor spaces.

This makes Planibel Easy Covid the suitable choice for windows, partitions, doors and a wide variety of shared or frequently touched surfaces, for example in commercial and public buildings, public transport, hospitals, schools, sports facilities, leisure facilities and industry of hospitality, among others.

By disclosing the first results of this research on an existing product, AGC enables glass processors to offer solutions to advance together towards a better and safer future.

Planibel Easy Covid can be combined in laminated glass with other AGC products, such as solar control glass, low-e glass, tinted glass, extra-clear glass, among other options. Resistant to corrosion and chemical damage, Planibel Easy Covid can be delivered in tempered, laminated, curved forms and even in insulating double or triple glazing. As long as the glass is exposed to daylight and/or UV (A), there are numerous possibilities to make your space a safer place.

In Brazil, the product is available on request for AGC customers. To learn more, visit the Planibel Easy Covid page. 

With this news, the AGC Group confirms its commitment to health and safety and makes a socially responsible contribution to our society, making people’s lives better every day around the world.