Ministry of SMEs and Startups Also Surprised by the Efficacy of 'UVC Plasma Disinfection Device' ... Patent Applications Filed in the US and Japan

Gyeongsan Natural Space Co.'s Cutting-Edge Disinfection Device a 'Big Hit'
99.9% Elimination in 1 Hour at KTR Test

Kim Eung-cho (center), CEO of Natural Space, is showing UVC plasma together with actor Kim Deok-hyun (right).

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Dong-wook] #1. Around mid-January, at a general hospital in Gwangyang City, Jeonnam Province. After it was confirmed that a COVID-19 positive patient had visited this regional base hospital, the entire area was thrown into turmoil. CCTV footage revealed that 15 medical staff had close contact. However, after testing over 300 visitors and others, no additional positive cases were found.

#2. In February and early March, at a specialized credit finance company located in a 21-story building in Jongno, Seoul, employees working on the 6th and 7th floors tested positive for COVID-19 one month apart. Comprehensive testing of all employees in the building revealed no further positive cases.

#3. Last August, a large-scale 'Healing Concert' was held at EXCO in Daegu. Advanced 'UVC Plasma' sterilizers were deployed throughout the venue. Despite over 5,000 attendees over three sessions on the day of the event, no infections occurred, contrary to initial concerns.

A 'UVC Plasma Sterilizer' developed by a kitchenware manufacturing company in Gyeongsan City, Gyeongbuk Province, is gaining attention for demonstrating practical effectiveness in COVID-19 prevention at hospitals and public institutions.

This sterilization product utilizes 'plasma'?the fourth state of matter after solid, liquid, and gas?and disinfects viruses by 99.9% using ultraviolet (UV) light, making it a groundbreaking sterilization device.

CEO Kim Eung-cho (48) of Natural Space Co., Ltd. began developing the UVC Plasma Sterilizer in late February last year, shortly after COVID-19 began spreading domestically.

Having operated a sink manufacturing business for over 20 years, CEO Kim, based on his experience developing LED sterilizers, was convinced that combining ultraviolet C (UVC) and plasma generation devices could eliminate viruses. Together with two childhood friends who consider themselves experts, he embarked on relentless product development day and night. Currently serving as executives alongside him are Executive Director Shin Jae-seok, an electrical control technician from a nuclear power plant, and Executive Director Kim Dong-yeon, an interior design expert.

Similar to Air Purifier Principles... Proven Effectiveness in Hospital & Indoor Sterilization
'Ultraviolet Sterilization' Bus and Subway Handrails Draw Attention with Overseas Patents

After six months of living and working together on development, they succeeded last September in obtaining official certification as a medical bio product from the Korea Testing & Research Institute (KTR), an internationally accredited testing organization. KTR tests confirmed that when the sterilizer was operated in an approximately 83㎡ indoor space, it eliminated 99.9% of the COVID-19 virus within one hour.

The product operates similarly to an air purifier. Essentially, a fan inside the device draws in virus-laden air for sterilization. The sterilization process occurs in three stages. The first stage uses UVC ultraviolet light to sterilize the virus. The second stage destroys the virus's outer cell membrane using a large amount of 'free radicals' generated by plasma inside the fan.

The third sterilization stage occurs simultaneously with the first two. 'Free radicals' are produced by the interaction of negative and positive ions, and when combined with UVC sterilizing ultraviolet light, an electromagnetic phenomenon called photo-plasma occurs. This process results in a powerful third-stage sterilization effect.

After product development, Natural Space Co., Ltd. began supplying the sterilizers to senior centers at factory outlet prices as a public service. The product quickly gained popularity, especially among hospitals and public institutions. Meanwhile, over 40 dealerships and franchises have been established nationwide.

As the product's effectiveness became known, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups also got involved. With their support, the company has filed patent applications in Japan and the United States for a 'public transportation handrail sterilizer.' Domestically, the handrail sterilizer is expected to be listed on the Public Procurement Service's 'Innovation Market' around April.

CEO Kim Eung-cho stated, "Regarding the 'public transportation handrail,' we received offers from government agencies in the United States and Japan to support patent applications first, and we have already applied for patents." He expressed his ambition, saying, "With pride in this K-quarantine product, we will pioneer the domestic market and then enter the global market to lead the end of the pandemic."

The 'UVC Plasma Disinfection Device' installed in the natural space of the general hospital in Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do.