KCC Achieves Korea's First Environmental Mark with Virus-Blocking Paint

Virus Surviving Up to 96 Hours, Over 99% Inactivation Within 6 Hours
First Environmental Mark Certification by Ministry of Environment for Low-VOCs Antiviral Paint

KCC announced on the 29th that it has developed an antiviral paint called 'Sup-euro Bio' that can respond to various viruses and fungi, and has completed obtaining the environmental mark and filing a patent. Photo by KCC

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] KCC announced on the 29th that it has developed an antiviral paint called 'Sup-euro Bio' capable of combating various viruses and fungi, and has completed obtaining the Environmental Mark certification as well as filing a patent application.

According to KCC, this product is a functional paint applying a special inorganic antiviral agent that helps maintain a comfortable indoor environment. Generally, viruses are known to survive up to 96 hours in everyday living environments. However, when KCC Sup-euro Bio is applied, viruses attached to the painted surface are eliminated by more than 99% within 6 hours. This was confirmed through tests conducted by the research team at Jeonbuk National University.

KCC received test results verifying the antiviral performance of Sup-euro Bio through Japan’s research institute Q-Tech and the research team at Jeonbuk National University.

The viruses used in the tests included non-enveloped types such as bacteriophages and feline calicivirus, and enveloped types such as Phi6 and Influenza A. KCC Sup-euro Bio demonstrated antiviral efficacy against both non-enveloped and enveloped virus types used in the tests.

Additionally, antibacterial and antifungal performance against five types of fungi including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and black mold was verified by FITI Testing & Research Institute.

According to a white paper by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, non-enveloped viruses have stronger resistance to antiviral agents than enveloped viruses. Therefore, antiviral agents effective against non-enveloped viruses are reported to be effective against the relatively less resistant enveloped viruses as well. Viruses such as COVID-19 and Ebola belong to the enveloped virus category, similar to Phi6 and Influenza A used in this test.

Moreover, Sup-euro Bio is the first antiviral paint product to acquire the Ministry of Environment’s official Environmental Mark (Environmental Label Certification).

It contains no harmful heavy metals such as hexavalent chromium compounds, lead, cadmium, or mercury, and has drastically reduced volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The Environmental Mark is an eco-friendly certification system awarded to products that are excellent in environmental aspects as well as quality and performance.

KCC explained that it has also completed patent applications related to the antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal performance of Sup-euro Bio.

Sup-euro Bio, which applies a special inorganic antiviral agent, is harmless to humans unlike organic antiviral agents containing harmful substances such as isothiazolinone and formaldehyde. It is stable even at high temperatures and does not volatilize or leach, so its antiviral properties last for a long time. Therefore, it has excellent long-term durability and can provide superior antiviral effects semi-permanently.

A KCC official stated, "As serious social issues caused by viruses have recently emerged, interest in products with antiviral and antibacterial functions is increasing. Sup-euro Bio, as an eco-friendly product certified with the Environmental Mark, is expected to be usefully applied in multi-use facilities such as hospitals, schools, commercial buildings, and apartments, as well as environments where hygiene and health elements are especially required."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.