IPIA Member Geoff Neale Group is well known for its prowess when it comes to creative flare and turning its customers dreams into print reality, but it has now struck out on a new path.
The organisation has not stopped at just integrating antimicrobial coatings into its print products, but it is now pioneering the distribution of a technology designed to stop germs dead in their tracks.
“What is the problem? Currently we all clean a surface using a ‘Dettol’ like product, we wipe and we are clean for that moment, there is no longevity,” explains Sam Neale, CEO of Geoff Neal Group.
He continues: “Using Viroblock technology it is like using ‘Dettol’ all of the time, continuously, wiping every few minutes.
“After application you don’t have to do anything, Viroblock doesn’t stop working, slow down or run out of energy. until it is abrasively removed. In our testing as a surface protection coating spray we have not found an application that lasts less than 2 weeks (in a highly abrasive environment) and I some cases it has still been working after 3 months.
“It beats every increased cleaning regime we have come across with and without fogging and with multiple cleaning teams working throughout the day. We have already protected the touch points and surfaces in a major London airport, a London football ground, COVID testing stations, manufacturing environments, a London HQ and many student accommodation buildings. And we also have active trials at Government buildings, global retail, hotels and public performance venues.”
What is Viroblock?
HeiQ’s Viroblock technology has a 98 percent viral and bacterial destruction in the first 2 to 5 minutes, 99.997 percent within 30 minutes and then it just keeps working, the active ingredients that don’t degrade or run out of energy.
It is 72 percent bio-based, uses recycled silver, is environmentally-friendly, is skin safe, dermatologically tested, cosmetic grade (it’s used by the Queen’s glovemaker) with no migration.
This technology was first created and tested and used during the Ebola outbreak in The Congo around eight years ago. It was used to coat the protective suits and breathing apparatus used by the doctors, military and support personnel dealing with Ebola on the front line.
It can be sprayed onto all surfaces and provides up to 3 months protection – abrasion is the only thing that stops it from working. It can be manufactured into textiles, leathers, plastics, ceramics, paints and industrial coatings – almost anything. When manufactured into a product it lasts the length of the product.
Sam continues: “Last year it was scientifically tested that it destroys COVID-19 too (against the live virus). It destroys all known virus and bacteria. As I have just mentioned this is a proven technology over the last 8 years – Viroblock has been used in over one billion textile face masks alone.”
Sam continues: “We are manufacturing fully brandable face coverings with the same technology and protection, providing the up to 20 times better protection than a disposable mask. Our face coverings are very comfortable and can be washed up to 30 times at 40 degrees. Our product is made from recycled plastics and can be recycled afterwards and do not need to be treated as hazardous waste as there are no living pathogens.”
Diversification and embracing new opportunities must be the watchword of the print business owner or manager in the year ahead, and Geoff Neale Group is a posterchild for finding new ways to deploy its existing expertise and workforce.
