Toray to Commercialize Multifunctional Coating Agent Containing Antiviral Particles

Toray Industries, Inc. has announced that it will commercialize a proprietary new multifunctional coating agent that combines antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and antiallergic properties.

The breakthrough uses a unique formula developed by the company in 2022 that incorporates high-performance antiviral particles. These particles inactivate viruses approximately 100 times faster than conventional antiviral materials.

Toray plans to launch mass production and full-scale sales in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026. From April 2025, textile processors, consumer product manufacturers and other users will receive samples of water-dispersible solutions and coating agents containing the particles to promote marketing for practical applications.

The particles perform far better than conventional metal-based antiviral materials, rapidly inactivating more than 99.9% of the SARS-CoV-2 delta (the cause of COVID-19) strain in just 15 seconds. The company achieved this by adding virus adsorption and oxidative degradation capabilities to cerium dioxide particles through proprietary synthesis and surface treatment technologies. Toray has confirmed that it has an inactivation efficiency of more than 99.99% against influenza virus and feline calicivirus (a tested surrogate for norovirus).

Thanks to Toray's unique particle manufacturing technology, its average particle size is only about 30 nanometers, with extremely high dispersibility in aqueous solution, less light scattering, and high transparency to maintain product appearance.

Another advantage of cerium oxide is its high structural stability. It is able to resist discoloration and other changes over time, which is one of the problems faced by traditional metal antiviral materials such as silver or copper.

Based on the analysis of the particle inactivation mechanism, Toray developed a high-performance coating agent by formulating the optimal additive, which has excellent dispersibility and strong material adhesion. An external testing agency confirmed that nonwovens impregnated with this coating retained its rapid antiviral effect while providing antimicrobial protection against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, against molds such as Aspergillus niger, and against cedar and dust mite allergens.