N2Cell Enters Silver Nano Fiber Business for Coronavirus Inactivation... "Recognized by US EPA for Technology"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hyowon] EntuTech affiliate EntuCell is accelerating the development of nanofibers that suppress infectious diseases such as COVID-19 through silver nano technology.

On the 20th, an EntuCell official said, "We are preparing to manufacture protective clothing and masks using silver nano fibers in collaboration with Professor Oh Seonggeun of the Department of Chemical Engineering at Hanyang University," adding, "We expect the antibacterial technology of silver nano to protect wearers from the COVID-19 virus."

Professor Oh Seonggeun received commercialization approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the silver nano master batch (Polyguard NSPW master batch) in July, in partnership with Poly Technical Solution Ltd.

The company explained that the silver nano master batch first encapsulates silver nano particles with silica, and then creates a master batch in the form of Polyguard to ensure safety. Polyguard contains silver nano embedded in plastic pellets, which are applied to fibers through an extrusion process.

Applying this technology makes it possible to effectively sterilize airborne bacteria. The company stated that it has antibacterial effects against more than 650 types of microorganisms including bacteria, mold, and viruses.

Professor Oh serves as a research advisor for EntuCell and participates in the development of various nanofibers. In the future, the technology will be applied not only to nanofilters for masks but also to air purifier filters and automotive air filters.

An official from the company emphasized, "The silver nano master batch showed results in experiments conducted at a reputable U.S. bioscience lab that effectively reduce the infectivity of the COVID-19 virus."

They added, "EntuCell is the only company in Korea producing masks impregnated with silver nano compounds approved by the EPA, using electrospinning technology to impart antibacterial functions to nanofibers," and "EntuTech plans to launch various products equipped with fibers that have COVID-19 inactivation effects, not just masks."

Currently, EntuTech plans to enter the global premium mask market with nanomasks equipped with nanofilters developed by EntuCell through strategic collaboration. An EntuTech official said, "Changing the company name from Microtech to EntuTech reflects our strong determination to fully enter the nano business, including the premium mask business."

They continued, "We have secured European Community Mark (CE) certification following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, opening export routes throughout Europe including North America," and "We expect sales growth and profitability improvement through export expansion following the acquisition of the European CE certification."

An EntuTech official stated, "The order contracts we have been negotiating following the CE certification will soon materialize," adding, "While the low-cost mask market is currently experiencing intensified price competition due to increased supply, the global premium mask market is just beginning to bloom," and "To actively respond to order requests from around the world, we have established a nanomask factory capable of producing up to 100 million masks per month, and we aim to become a leader in the nano industry through expanding sales scale and profitability."