An antimicrobial copper film developed by a Korean company has demonstrated strong neutralizing activity against COVID-19, adding firearms to Korean battle with the epidemic.

According to CleanCU, a South Korean company developer of antimicrobial plastic materials, on Thursday, a test conducted by Korea University Hospital showed the company’s film branded as K COPPER PLUS that contains antimicrobial copper neutralized 77.8 percent of the coronavirus within 8 hours and up to 97.2 percent within 24 hours compared to a comparator film.

In the test, where three coronavirus groups that contain 100,000, 10,000 and 1,000 units, respectively, were exposed to CleanCU’s antimicrobial copper film for 24 hours at room temperature, the viruses lost 97.2 percent, 90.6 percent, and 96.7 percent, respectively, in infection ability, according to the company.

Since ordinary antimicrobial films rely on surface coating, their antimicrobial performance decreases over time. But CleanCU’s antimicrobial copper film contains copper powder in its formulation, maintaining antibacterial and antiviral performance for a long time, the company’s chief executive Lee Kyung-min said.

The company has already signed about $7 million sales contracts in several countries including Thailand, Chile and India, while receiving inquiries from Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore for potential importation, Lee added.

CleanCU manufactures smartphone cases, sanitary bags, and sanitary gloves using patented antibacterial copper raw materials. CleanCU’s patented PE plastics that contain antimicrobial copper passed the FDA’s conformity review for antibacterial properties against E. coli, staphylococcus aureus, pneumococcus, methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, and fungi.

By Ahn Byung-joon and Minu Kim

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