Sisecam, a global industrial enterprise that operates in all core areas of glass production along with business lines covering soda and chromium compounds, has got the approval for its special V-Block coating technology that neutralises viruses and bacteria.

The company plans to commence mass production of glassware products treated with antimicrobial V-Block technology at the start of 2021. These innovative products will initially be offered for sale in Turkey, the company said in a statement.

Sisecam said it developed the V-Block coating technology, which neutralises viruses and bacteria on glass surfaces, to support the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic. The results of tests conducted by laboratories in Turkey authorised by the Ministry of Health have confirmed that the innovative technology is effective against many different viruses and bacteria, including the coronavirus, it added.

Sisecam completed the necessary official permission processes related to the certification, implementation and sales of V-Block Technology on December 15, 2020. This technology will primarily be used on select glassware products in Sisecam’s beverage and tabletop products group.

Initially, the company plans to allocate 10 per cent of its total glassware production capacity to manufacture V-Block coated products. Glassware products treated with V-Block Technology will initially be offered through retail stores in the Turkish market in addition to the catering and B2B sales channels.

Sisecam Vice Chairman and CEO Prof. Ahmet Kirman, expressed excitement on the company becoming the first global glass producer to apply V-Block Technology developed by Sisecam Science, Technology and Design Center on glassware products.

He said: “We believe that people will become less anxious about their health during the current pandemic thanks to the Antimicrobial V-Block Technology. This groundbreaking innovation serves our vision of being a company that makes a difference with its technologies and brands by developing creative solutions. Our products treated with Antimicrobial V-Block Technology, engineered with our 45 years of world class R&D know-how, will initially be offered in Turkey.”

Prof Kirman explained that glassware products equipped with Antimicrobial V-Block Technology would initially be offered in the Turkish market. He further added, “Products treated with Antimicrobial V-Block Technology respond to crucial needs during the pandemic. We are also considering manufacturing these innovative products at our overseas glassware production facilities, especially in Bulgaria, and selling them in other markets. Sisecam plans to apply this technology in its other business lines that focus on glass production and introduce them to the market after licensing procedures are completed. In the post-pandemic world order, we will respond rapidly to new emerging demands and needs in the market, and continue delivering our innovative technology and solutions to Sisecam customers.” 

Special Formula

The revolutionary V-Block Technology developed by Sisecam Science, Technology and Design Center offers a hygienic experience 24/7 thanks to its special formula and application technique. The formula is applied on products via chemical vapor deposition under high temperatures during production. Due to its active nature, the coating is also ideal for use in spaces with high-contamination risk, such as hotels, restaurants, cafes, hospitals and cafeterias, as well as household use.

Results of tests conducted by laboratories in Turkey authorised by the Ministry of Health have confirmed that glassware products treated with Antimicrobial V-Block Technology are 99.5 per cent effective against Staphylococcus Aureus, Escherichia Coli bacteria, 94.1 per cent effective against the Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, 90 per cent effective against Human Coronavirus 229E and Bovine Coronavirus, 99 per cent effective against Poliovirus Type 1, and 99.5 per cent effective against Adenovirus Type 5 and Murine Norovirus.

One of the most established enterprises in Turkey, Sisecam is a global actor in business lines including flat glass, glassware, glass packaging and glass fibre as well as soda and chromium chemicals. Sisecam, which is globally one of the two largest producers in glassware and the five largest producers in glass packaging and flat glass today, is the world’s eighth largest soda producer as well as the world leader in chromium compounds.

Operating in Turkey, Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Russian Federation, Georgia, Ukraine, Egypt, India and the USA, Sisecam plays a leading role in flat glass, glassware, glass packaging, chemicals, automotive, glass fiber, mining, energy and recycling business lines.