Materiales Avanzados has deployed its antimicrobial coating for flat glass, Vetro+, at the Diego Aracena Airport International in Iquique, Chile.
The façades of the Chilean airport were treated with Vetro+, an antimicrobial coating crafted from copper nanomaterials.
Developed by Materiales Avanzados (Advanced Materials), a Chilean deep tech company, the coating actively neutralises up to 99.9% of fungi, viruses, and bacteria.
The deployment, spanning over 500 m2, encompassed transit zones, domestic and international boarding areas, and retail outlets.
The treated façades aim to prevent cross-contamination within spaces such as transit areas, culinary havens, and healthcare facilities.
Moreover, they stand as a defence against infectious diseases, including SARS-type viruses and Covid-19.
Christian Aguilar, CEO of Materiales Avanzados, said: "Our aim was to harmonise the visual appeal of the commercial area, fostering a close collaboration with the architectural firm responsible for its design. Inspired by the region's desert and wetlands, the design adopts a vertical pattern. We contributed nearly 8 tons of glass, meticulously treated with our Vetro+ technology, encompassing over a thousand individual pieces."
Beyond the façades, Materiales Avanzados also integrated the antimicrobial features into the airport's furnishings, bringing an additional layer of protection.
"We embarked on a journey with copper nanoparticles, devising a method to seamlessly integrate them into glass," continued Mr Aguilar. "Vetro+ has made significant strides, culminating in successful patent applications in the USA and positive progress in other regions where protection has been sought."
Applied to one side of flat glass and subsequently tempered in a specialised furnace, the Vetro+ technology imbues the glass with antimicrobial properties while preserving the original hue of vitrifiable enamels, even amidst subtle variations in translucency.
Presently, the company is focused on advancing three core business lines: architectural applications, specialised glass for household appliances, and ongoing research exploring the mechanical attributes of glass containers.
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