Cruise & Ferry Review - Spring/Summer 2021

2 8 MARKETWATCH Integra Fragrances develops new HVAC product to combat Covid-19 Integra Fragrances has refocused its scent expertise to distribute a non-dangerous sanitising chemical that combats Covid-19 in public and private spaces onboard passenger ships Report I ntegra Fragrances has adjusted its operations to thrive during the Covid-19 pandemic. Normally a custom scent designer for brands worldwide, the organisation has created a new business avenue to help combat Covid-19 and bring cruise ships back to the seas. Using its remotely controlled heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) scent diffusers, Integra is now distributing benzalkonium chloride (BAC) as a sanitising agent and a treatment against Covid-19, something that many countries throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia actively encourage. In 2020, Integra carried out a range of laboratory tests (see above) to quantify the efficacy of its anti-Covid-19 solution. After a single overnight sanitising treatment (30 minutes), air samples showed that the air global microbial contamination index of a medium-volume public environment dropped from 5,000 to 0. After this, thanks to 10-minute-long daytime inputs, the overall index remained within the best indoor air quality range. During the tests, Integra compared air filters taken from HVAC units before and after two weeks of recirculating BAC and this showed a significant reduction in the number of microorganisms on the filters. By recirculating BAC, Integra successfully sanitised both the HVAC filters and ducts, as well as any air passing through them. Surfaces also showed a drop in the level of contamination. Samples taken from an uncleaned floor of a pharmacy visited by over 250 people per day showed that Integra’s solution kept the surface contamination within safe parameters, and counteracted peaks of contamination during high-traffic periods. “There are three main advantages of our sanitising system compared to the rest of the technologies on the market,” said Lorenzo Cotti, CEO of Integra Fragrances. “Firstly, the antiviral and antibacterial action affects the surfaces, the air, and the HVAC ducts and filters. Secondly, the small size and flexibility of our product allows it to be installed onto existing HVAC layouts without structural interventions or modifications of any kind. And finally, maintenance is negligible (once per year) and, together with installation, extremely cheap.” CFR 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 17:30 08:30 08:30 Air global microbial contamination index (CFU – Colony-Forming Unit per m 3 ) 12:30 18:00 0 250 200 150 100 50 0 May 6 13:00 May 6 15:30 May 6 19:00 May 7 07:45 May 7 13:00 May 14 19:00 May 21 10:00 May 29 19:45 Surfaces global microbial contamination index (CFU - Colony-Forming Unit per cm 2 ) “ The small size and flexibility of our product allows it to be installed onto existing HVAC layouts without modifications” Lorenzo Cotti, CEO Efficacy of anti-Covid-19 HVAC solution in public environments