Does this paint kill viruses and bacteria?

Nirlat, in collaboration with Nanosono, introduces groundbreaking innovation in healthcare, offering a unique solution to hospital infection problems caused by bacteria and viruses. Despite significant damage to its factory in Kibbutz Nir Oz during the 7/10 attack, Nirlat continues to move forward with production and product development. In partnership with the nanotechnology company Nanosono, Nirlat has launched AquaNir ACTIVE SHIELD, an antibacterial and antiviral water-based acrylic paint that destroys up to 99.99% of bacteria and viruses within a few hours.

Nanosono and Nirlat’s technological breakthrough creates an active destruction mechanism that does not diminish over time, unlike existing antibacterial paints that contain a degradable additive (often silver ions) requiring repainting every year or two, regardless of the paint's condition. With AquaNir ACTIVE SHIELD, as long as the paint remains on the wall, it remains active and provides protection against bacteria and viruses.

The paint addresses a need in health institutions like medical centers, clinics, food factories, nursing homes, kindergartens, and similar places where sterilization and protection from secondary infections and food hygiene are crucial. According to the Israeli Ministry of Health, more than 4,000 patients die annually from hospital-acquired infections, often from antibiotic-resistant bacteria (Ministry of Health website). Hospital infections can prolong hospital stays, cause prolonged disability, increase bacterial resistance to antibiotics, and impose an economic burden on the healthcare system, patients, and their families (Pfizer website, Hospital Infections).

Nirlat’s new product incorporates the QUACTIVTM additive, developed by Nanosono, featuring groundbreaking and scientifically proven technology that provides continuous and comprehensive protection against bacteria and viruses (as long as the paint remains on the wall). The paint with the QUACTIVTM additive destroys the virus, bacterium, or fungus upon contact with the painted surface. Additionally, the particles remain continuously active from the moment the paint is applied to the wall and are produced in environmentally friendly conditions without using toxic substances. The new product has been tested for its destruction rates against four different representative bacteria species.

Hillel Yaffe Medical Center is the first to adopt the new technology to ensure the highest level of patient health. The hospital conducted a pilot in the breast imaging department, and after its success, began applying the paint in projects carried out at the medical center. Chief Engineer Ronen Edri and the hospital team decided to take their patients' health a step further and paint all new departments with AquaNir ACTIVE SHIELD.

According to Omri Lotan, CEO of Nirlat: "Active Shield is expected to lead a revolution in the fight against bacteria and viruses in medical institutions. Nirlat focuses on developing technologically advanced products that position Nirlat as an innovative and leading company in the paint industry."

According to Uri Bar Chaim, CEO of Nanosono: "I would like to congratulate Nirlat on the completion of the joint development of the antimicrobial paint with Nanosono’s groundbreaking technology. We are proud to be the technological partner in developing advanced solutions to fight infections and diseases. I also congratulate Hillel Yaffe Medical Center on its collaboration, adoption of the QUACTIVTM-based technology, and its leadership in embracing innovative technologies to protect and safeguard patients in the hospital."

According to Ronen Edri, Engineer at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center: "Our medical center makes extensive efforts to minimize and prevent infections in various departments. The engineering department of the medical center focuses on integrating new technologies in different aspects to address infection reduction. One solution is integrating new technology that includes applying nanoparticles in the paint used for wall and ceiling coatings in the patient environment. The hospital conducted a pilot and, after meeting the success criteria, began implementing the technology in projects carried out at the medical center."