Corning and Nippon Paint Announce Launch of Antimicrobial Paint in China

Rhea-AI Summary

Corning Incorporated and Nippon Paint China have launched an antiviral paint containing Corning Guardiant in China. This product, called Nippon Kid's Odour-Less All In One Interior Emulsion Paint-Anti Bacteria Plus, kills 99.9% of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on surfaces. The paint also effectively kills gram-positive and negative bacteria. This collaboration emphasizes Corning's commitment to innovative materials science. With rigorous testing approved by the EPA, the paint meets high standards for safety and effectiveness. The partnership aims to leverage technology to enhance consumer value during the pandemic.

Positive

• Launch of Nippon Kid's Paint featuring Corning Guardiant demonstrates innovative product development.
• Nippon Kid's Paint shows >99.9% efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 and a broad spectrum of bacteria.
• Successful testing protocols endorsed by the EPA ensure product credibility and safety.

Negative

• Commercial success is uncertain amid competitive product landscape and potential regulatory hurdles.
• Forward-looking statements highlight risks related to COVID-19's impact on demand and supply chains.

Nippon Paint Containing Corning Guardiant™ Antimicrobial Particles shown to kill 99.9% of the virus that causes COVID-19

CORNING, NY, Dec. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Corning Incorporated (NYSE: GLW) and Nippon Paint China (Nippon Paint) today announced the commercial launch of Nippon Paint’s first antiviral kid’s paint in China. The paint, which Nippon Paint calls Nippon Kid's Odour-Less All In One Interior Emulsion Paint-Anti Bacteria Plus (Nippon Kid’s Paint), formulated for use in spaces where children spend the most time, contains Corning Guardiant™, a novel antimicrobial paint additive. Corning Guardiant contains the most bioactive form of copper (cuprous ions, Cu+1) encased in a special glass-ceramic powder that enables its controlled release for killing germs.

Last month, Corning announced breakthrough test results demonstrating paints formulated with Corning Guardiant showed 99.9% kill of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on the coated surfaces in less than two hours. Surfaces coated with Nippon Kid’s Paint also showed greater than 99.9% kill of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. These tests were conducted using rigorous test protocols approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

Results on the SARS-CoV-2 virus were obtained using test methods that simulate invisible contamination on dry surfaces. Coatings containing additives such as silver and zinc pass traditional “wet” contamination test methods, but do not perform well under more realistic dry test conditions. Nippon Kid’s Paint demonstrates effectiveness under both wet and dry test conditions. The paint also shows >99.9% kill against gram positive bacteria such as Staphylocccus aureus, Gram negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and small non-enveloped viruses such as Feline calicivirus (FCV) on the coated surfaces under dry test conditions. The ability to kill a broad spectrum of germs including small, non-enveloped viruses, the hardest-to-kill category of viruses based on their susceptibility to disinfectants, is a key value proposition of paint coatings containing Guardiant.

“Technology innovation is the core of our sustainable development and the cornerstone of our collaboration with Corning. Adopting Corning’s latest copper ion antimicrobial technology – Corning Guardiant^TM, Nippon Kid’s Paint can effectively and efficiently kill a variety of viruses and bacteria. As the demand for antiviral heats up, we believe that science and technology will create more value for consumers and enable future paints that offer both beautiful and healthy surroundings,” said Eric Chung, president of Nippon Paint China.

This announcement adds another milestone in Corning’s relationship with Nippon Paint. Earlier this year, before the antiviral paint product was commercially available, the two companies joined to donate Nippon Kid’s Paint to four Chinese hospitals with surface space spanning a total area of 120,000 square meters. 

“In this current global health crisis, we’ve never been more aware of the bacteria and viruses that live on surfaces all around us,” said Joydeep Lahiri, division vice president and program director, Specialty Surfaces, Corning. “The recent test results demonstrate the effectiveness of a range of paint formulations with Corning Guardiant. We are excited to see Nippon Paint bring this important paint innovation to the market in China and other global locations.” 

Corning is working with many manufacturers around the world on paint products formulated with Corning Guardiant. Prior to making claims against harmful germs such as SARS-CoV-2, finished products incorporating Guardiant may require registration or certification by one or more government authorities.

For additional information, videos, and images about Corning Guardiant, please visit our resource center.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995), which are based on current expectations and assumptions about Corning’s financial results and business operations, that involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include: the duration and severity of the recent COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, and its ultimate impact across our businesses on demand, operations and our global supply chains; the effects of acquisitions, dispositions and other similar transactions by the Company, the effect of global business, financial, economic and political conditions; tariffs and import duties; currency fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and other currencies, primarily the Japanese yen, New Taiwan dollar, euro, Chinese yuan, and South Korean won; product demand and industry capacity; competitive products and pricing; availability and costs of critical components and materials; new product development and commercialization; order activity and demand from major customers; the amount and timing of our cash flows and earnings and other conditions, which may affect our ability to pay our quarterly dividend at the planned level or to repurchase shares at planned levels; possible disruption in commercial activities due to terrorist activity, cyber-attack, armed conflict, political or financial instability, natural disasters, or major health concerns; unanticipated disruption to equipment, facilities, IT systems or operations; effect of regulatory and legal developments; ability to pace capital spending to anticipated levels of customer demand; rate of technology change; ability to enforce patents and protect intellectual property and trade secrets; adverse litigation; product and components performance issues; retention of key personnel; customer ability, most notably in the Display Technologies segment, to maintain profitable operations and obtain financing to fund their ongoing operations and manufacturing expansions and pay their receivables when due; loss of significant customers; changes in tax laws and regulations including the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017; and the potential impact of legislation, government regulations, and other government action and investigations.

For a complete listing of risks and other factors, please reference the risk factors and forward-looking statements described in our annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the day that they are made, and Corning undertakes no obligation to update them in light of new information or future events.

Web Disclosure

In accordance with guidance provided by the SEC regarding the use of company websites and social media channels to disclose material information, Corning Incorporated (“Corning”) wishes to notify investors, media, and other interested parties that it uses its website (http://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/about-us/news-events.html) to publish important information about the company, including information that may be deemed material to investors, or supplemental to information contained in this or other press releases. The list of websites and social media channels that the company uses may be updated on Corning’s media and website from time to time. Corning encourages investors, media, and other interested parties to review the information Corning may publish through its website and social media channels as described above, in addition to the company’s SEC filings, press releases, conference calls, and webcasts.

About Corning Incorporated

Corning (www.corning.com) is one of the world's leading innovators in materials science, with a 169-year track record of life-changing inventions. Corning applies its unparalleled expertise in glass science, ceramic science, and optical physics along with its deep manufacturing and engineering capabilities to develop category-defining products that transform industries and enhance people's lives. Corning succeeds through sustained investment in RD&E, a unique combination of material and process innovation, and deep, trust-based relationships with customers who are global leaders in their industries. Corning's capabilities are versatile and synergistic, which allows the company to evolve to meet changing market needs, while also helping our customers capture new opportunities in dynamic industries. Today, Corning's markets include optical communications, mobile consumer electronics, display, automotive, and life sciences.

Media Relations Contacts:  
Pamela W. Porter                     
(607) 974-9980                      
porterpw@corning.com                     
           
Gabrielle R. Bailey
(607) 974-6394
baileygr@corning.com

Investor Relations Contact:
Ann H.S. Nicholson
(607) 974-6716
nicholsoas@corning.com

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FAQ

What is Corning Guardiant in Nippon Paint's new product?

Corning Guardiant is an antimicrobial additive that kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria.

Which virus does Nippon Kid's Paint kill?

Nippon Kid's Paint effectively kills the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

What are the testing standards for Nippon Kid's Paint?

The paint underwent rigorous testing protocols approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

When was the Nippon Kid's Paint launched?

The product was launched commercially on December 16, 2020.

What is the stock symbol for Corning?

The stock symbol for Corning is GLW.