Good hygiene practices have become indispensable as the world treads cautiously into the post-pandemic era. Resultantly, there is a growing demand for technologies that assure efficiency in destroying viruses and bacteria. Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection is one such technology. It proved its mettle in dismantling Coronavirus pathogens at specific UV radiation wavelengths, between 200 and 280 nanometers. Post-COVID-19, the technology is seeping into the commercial, residential, and water treatment sectors. As per Inkwood Research, the global UV disinfection equipment market is set to reach $10144.74 million by 2032 and record a CAGR of 7.53% during 2023-2032.
This blog examines the varied developments UV disinfection technology has made beyond COVID-19.
• R-Zero on an Ambitious Path
With the pandemic waning, R-Zero is eyeing bigger opportunities beyond COVID-19. The company’s conviction is reinforced by ultraviolet light disinfection’s efficacy in minimizing the risk of transmission of other diseases like norovirus and influenza after its stint with coronavirus. Ultraviolet (UV) devices do not need massive energy and toxic chemicals. Moreover, they are not considered medical devices since they disinfect indoor settings instead of the human body. This means the company is relieved of money and time engaging with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Today, R-Zero offers three devices. Its mobile Arc device, priced at $2800, disinfects empty rooms. Empty because its UV-C light of 254 nanometers wavelength causes a harmful impact on people. Whereas its two newer devices, Beam and Vive, are relatively cheaper and designed for continuous operations in the background. Both were launched in November 2021.
Says Grant Morgan, CEO and Co-Founder of R-Zero, “Today, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to advance the science and technology that has the ability to fundamentally change human health for the better. The launch of R-Zero’s continuous, autonomous disinfection ecosystem represents the advancement of critical innovation that will drive a healthier society forward in a post-pandemic era.” (Source)
Furthermore, the company’s customers include large school districts in South San Francisco, Texas, Fort Bend, Nevada, and Clark County; senior facilities like Trilogy Health Services; sports teams like the Detroit Red Wings and San Francisco 49ers; and Omada Health. R-Zero has switched from leasing at an ultra-low cost pricing model to a more sustainable model of selling and charging monthly subscriptions to cover replacement bulbs and software.
In addition, R-Zero has leveraged the post-pandemic trends as workplaces strive to make their safety and health operations more effective. For instance, R-Zero acquired CoWorkr in July 2021. It announced to invest in CoWorkr’s workplace intelligence platform that actively works to protect occupants.
CoWorkr’s sensors enable unprecedented visibility of real-time risks within a space. Add to this, R-Zero’s category-defining disinfection solutions. The end result is a closed-loop ecosystem that can autonomously act to lessen the risks.
Grant Morgan observes, “Creating and maintaining physical spaces that promote productivity and health is both the objective and obligation of every organization. R-Zero’s acquisition of CoWorkr brings a layer of data and intelligence to our biosafety platform that enables us to create smart and healthy buildings designed for how people actually interact.” (Source)
• Miles to Go for Signify with UV-C Lighting
Signify believes that the true potential of UV-C lighting is yet to be realized. It advocates strengthening UV-C lighting’s foothold in a post-pandemic world as part of Europe’s recovery plans. Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) is an electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths between 100 and 280 nanometers. It is highly efficient in thwarting the RNA and DNA of viruses at a wavelength of 254 nanometers, rendering them harmless and incapable.
However, UV-C lighting’s antimicrobial potential is not new. The need for technology was only confined to niche markets until recently, i.e., COVID-19. Subsequently, UV-C finds a strong case for mitigating varied viruses, with the world inching toward a post-pandemic world. As a result, Signify believes that the technology should be part of Europe’s national recovery plans.
Says Emile van Dijk, the head of Signify’s UV-C team, “… we should not overlook the disinfection power of UV-C to thwart other serious airborne infections such as seasonal flu1 and tuberculosis2, which cause deaths and sickness every year.” (Source)
• California City welcomes UV-C Technology to its HVAC Systems
Santa Clarita’s city government fully embraced UV-C technology during COVID-19. Now, it is included in the HVAC systems of city-owned buildings. Besides, the technology has enjoyed the long support of Mayor Laurene Weste.
A recent study presented by Gabriele Messina, Ph.D., at the annual conference of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) reveals that UV-C devices can drastically reduce pathogens in colony-forming units (CFUs) by 97.3%. (Source)
Santa Clarita is installing UV-C in new HVAC systems in 21 city buildings. The HVAC systems with UV-C technology will enhance ventilation inside the building and deliver cleaner air.
• China’s UV-Based Advanced Oxidation Systems for Urban Water Supplies – A First for the World
On February 4th, 2021, the China Association of Machinery Industry for Environmental Protection released the standard for ‘Ultraviolet (UV)-based advanced oxidation systems for urban water supplies (T/CAMIE 01-2021).’ As far as UV-based advanced oxidation systems are concerned, it is the first national standard globally.
The standard lays out a technical basis for adopting UV-based advanced oxidation technologies in China. It is anticipated to help operate, implement, and design UV-based advanced oxidation technologies to enhance the water safety and quality of urban water supplies in China.
Such developments are estimated to benefit the global UV disinfection equipment market growth.
FAQs:
1. Which is the prominent country in the global UV disinfection equipment market?
A: The United States is the prominent country in the global UV disinfection equipment market.
2. Which is the fastest-growing component in the global UV disinfection equipment market?
A: Reactor is the fastest-growing component in the global UV disinfection equipment market
