news release

Research and Development
2021.07.15

Nippon Paint Group’s Five PROTECTON Brand Products Proven Effective in Suppressing the Novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and Alpha variant through Joint Research with the University of Tokyo

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July 15, 2021
Name of company: Nippon Paint Holdings Co., Ltd. Representative: Yuichiro Wakatsuki
Representative Executive Officer & Co-President
Wee Siew Kim
Representative Executive Officer & Co-President
Contact: Yukiko Yamamoto
General Manager of Public Relations
Email: nphd-kouho@nipponpaint.jp


Nippon Paint Group’s Five PROTECTON Brand Products Proven Effective in 
Suppressing the Novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and Alpha variant through Joint Research with the University of Tokyo



Nippon Paint Holdings Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo) announces that PROTECTON brand anti-viral and anti-bacterial paint products developed by utilizing visible light responsive photocatalyst technology have been proven to be effective in suppressing the Novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and Alpha variant on coated surfaces. This is based on a joint research project with the University of Tokyo (President: Teruo Fujii) Graduate School of Engineering (Professor Toru Wakihara, Professor Kouhei Tsumoto, and Lecturer Makoto Nakakido) and Institute of Medical Science (Associate Professor Takeshi Ichinohe). This is the first time in Japan that anti-viral and anti-bacterial products have been proven to be effective in suppressing the Novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and Alpha variant.

Nippon Paint Holdings and the University of Tokyo have jointly conducted research activities on coating technologies with anti-viral functions and functions to prevent the spread of infections for a sustainable post-COVID-19 society. This is one of the joint research themes under the industry-academia co-creation agreement we concluded with the University of Tokyo on May 18, 2020. Through our collaborative research, we will continue to conduct tests to verify the effectiveness of our innovative coating technologies including anti-viral technology using visible light responsive photocatalyst in suppressing the SARS-CoV-2 virus under actual conditions of use. 

We will use the results of this joint research to play a role in creating a safe and secure living environment and quickly supplying products that contribute to society.

Comments from Professor Kouhei Tsumoto and Associate Professor Takeshi Ichinohe of the University of Tokyo
“We have proven the effectiveness of the visible light responsive photocatalyst technology, which is used in the Nippon Paint Group’s PROTECTON brand products, in suppressing the Novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and Alpha variant strains through viral inactivation testing.   We expected that the visible light responsive photocatalyst technology would be effective in suppressing the variant strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus with a spike protein mutation based on the expected mechanism this technology uses. This study has verified our hypothesis. We believe the study results have great social significance as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. In addition, the technology has good prospects for suppressing the Novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and Alpha variant on coated surfaces under actual conditions of use. We are confident that the anti-viral technology that suppresses viruses on coated surfaces will be a new method for reducing the risk of infections, in addition to the basic infection control measures of hand washing, disinfection, and ventilation. We will continue to develop new technologies for creating a safe and secure living environment and promptly supplying products that contribute to society by utilizing our comprehensive knowledge from research activities conducted through the Social Cooperation Course established by Nippon Paint Holdings.”

Nippon Paint Group’s products used in testing: PROTECTON INTERIOR WALL VK-500, PROTECTON INTERIOR PAINT PREMIUM, PROTECTON INTERIOR WALL VK-200, PROTECTON INTERIOR WALL VK-200 for DIY, PROTECTON BARRIERXTM SPRAY
These products are not intended for medical use as a medical product or medical device. The test results do not indicate the effectiveness of these products in preventing infections.
The test results do not guarantee that these products are effective in protecting against all or any specific viruses and bacteria. In addition, the test results do not indicate the effectiveness of these products in suppressing viruses and bacteria in areas surrounding the coated surfaces.
The data and figures provided in this document are not guaranteed values and may be altered and updated without prior notice due to improvements in products.
These products do not suppress indoor airborne viruses.

【Viruses tested】
Novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and Alpha variant

【Test procedures and results】
① A test specimen with fluids containing the SARS-CoV-2 virus ((1) the conventional strain/(2) a variant strain) were placed on a 6-well cell culture plate.
② The plate was covered with a PET film and irradiated with fluorescent light.
③ Fluids containing the virus were flushed with culture medium (1 mL/well) and viruses were recovered.
④ The quantity of active/infectious viruses was measured using the plaque method.

Evaluation method:
① Infectivity (pfu/mL): the quantity of viral particles with cell infectivity (the number of active viruses)
② Anti-viral activity: The rate of logarithmic decrease of infectivity compared with controlled specimen calculated using the following formula:
 R=U-A
 R:Antiviral activity
 U:The average quantity of common logarithms of anti-viral activity (PFU/mL) three hours after viral fluids were placed on uncoated glass slides
 A:The average quantity of common logarithms of anti-viral activity (PFU/mL) three hours after viral fluids were placed on surfaces coated with paint with anti-viral properties.
③Inactivation rate (%): The rate of logarithmic decrease of infectivity compared with the controlled specimen
Testing location: Bio safety cabinet
Test results: SARS CoV-2 was placed on uncoated glass slides and on a surface coated with paint with anti-viral properties.The test confirmed that the virus that contacted the coated surface became inactive while remaining active on the uncoated surface.


(1)Evaluation results using the conventional SARA-CoV-2 virus

(2)Evaluation results using the Alpha variant


PROTECTON brand
PROTECTON is a brand for paint and other products incorporating new technologies and value to add functions made possible by utilizing the cutting-edge paint and coatings technology of the Nippon Paint Group.


PROTECTION – The constant evolution of paint technology for advanced anti-viral and anti-bacterial functions for public health and safety.
URL: https://www.nipponpaint.co.jp/

*This website is available in Japanese only.

The Nippon Paint Group will expand the lineup of PROTECTON brand products with anti-viral and anti-bacterial functions, including products other than paint, for a broad range of applications.




The Nippon Paint Group turns 140 years old
Founded in 1881, as a comprehensive paint manufacturer which boasts the longest history of any paint manufacturer in Japan, we are celebrating our 140th anniversary.
In accordance with the corporate philosophy that has been carried down since the company’s founding, we confront social issues, including developing an anti-virus paint, and are carrying out research and development of paint and coating technologies.

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