Dubai, May 19, 2022 – Daikin Industries, Ltd., parent company of Daikin Middle East and Africa, in collaboration with Osaka University’s Research Institute for Microbial Diseases have tested and confirmed the effectiveness of the Flash Streamer technology against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants. The technology inactivates COVID-19 variants more than 99.9% against the Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Omicron variants, and 99.8% against the Delta variant after 4 hours of exposure to Streamer discharge when compared to without Streamer.
Daikin’s unique air purification Flash Streamer technology was developed in 2004 and since then Daikin has conducted tests on its effectiveness with many public research institutes around the world. Following these tests, it has been confirmed that the Flash Streamer technology inactivates over 60 types of harmful substances, such as bacteria, allergens and viruses, including the influenza virus, RSV and murine noroviruses. In July 2020, the inactivation effect against the SARS-CoV-2 strain isolated in the early stages of the pandemic had also been confirmed. This means the Flash Streamer technology can be used to improve indoor air quality when the air is contaminated with these respiratory viruses.
As a specialist in indoor air quality management, Daikin sees it as its mission to create comfortable and sustainable interior environments. Daikin not only develops new technologies, but also continuously verifies the effectiveness of its technologies and their importance for solving societal challenges such as the current pandemic.
Takashi Namikawa, Senior Engineer of Daikin’s Technology and Innovation Center for this project, says: “I am delighted that Daikin's unique air purification Flash Streamer technology, has been proven effective in inactivating coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) variants, including the Omicron variant. It shows that the Flash Streamer technology has the potential to be applied to solve societal issues further improving the quality of indoor air in schools or offices. This is very significant study for Daikin and for society”.
Daikin holds its mission to help people to breathe easy in high regard, as clean and quality air provides a direct correlation to a healthier, more productive and fulfilled life. The company’s latest brand campaign, “Breathe Health”, reinforces the importance of equal access to quality air regardless of location. Indoor air quality is truly a Daikin experience, and the brand redefines the health of any living space for its customers by a better experience of the air around them. On an average, as people spend 90% of their lives indoors, Daikin Air Purifiers prove to be a great choice, posing a unique double method by having high power plasma discharge technology and the unique streamer technology that provides further purification to open spaces.
Notes to editor:
Experimental Results d
Irradiation with Streamer discharge for 4 hours inactivated more than 99.9% of the Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Omicron variants and 99.8% of the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, compared to without Streamer discharge. (Visual attached in mail)
Explanatory video
This video explains the main features and characteristics of Daikin patented Flash Streamer technology, the evaluation method and the test results.
“Daikin Streamer Technology, Inactivation of Coronavirus, Omicron and Other Strains [DAIKIN]”
Evaluation method
In the verification test, hCoV-19/Japan/QHN002/2020 strain (Alpha variant), hCoV-19/South Africa/KRISP-EC-K005321/2020 strain (Beta variant), hCoV-19/Japan/TY7-503/2021 strain (Gamma variant), hCoV-19/USA/PHC658/2021 strain (Delta variant) and hCoV-19/Japan/ TY38-873/2021 strain (Omicron variant) were used. Two acrylic boxes of about 31 litres were prepared, and a Streamer discharge device was installed in one of the boxes. Six-well plate with 0.5 ml/well of virus solution were placed on Seesaw shaker in both boxes. Streamer irradiation was performed with shaking. After 1, 2, and 4 hours, the virus solution was collected, and the virus titer was measured by TCID50 using Vero E6/TMPRSS2 cells.
Flash Streamer technology
The Flash Streamer technology is a technology that uses Streamer discharge, which Daikin developed in 2004, to perform oxidative decomposition of harmful substances. It is a type of plasma discharge featuring an innovative air purification technology that stably generates high-speed electrons. When combined with air components, these high-speed electrons have a capability for powerful oxidative decomposition, and this capability enables Streamer discharge to continuously remove odors, bacteria and indoor air pollutants such as formaldehyde.
The mechanisms of the Flash Streamer technology and the test results are also introduced in the Daikin website “DAIKIN Streamer Research Institute".
Types of viruses that have been tested so far
In addition to above viruses, the effectiveness against 7 types of bacteria such as Legionella and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 30 types of allergens such as cedar pollen and Dermatophagoides farinae (excrement/carcass), and 19 types of harmful chemical substances have been verified by public institutions.
About Daikin
We care for the air. We deploy our years of experience in air conditioning and our passion for innovative technologies to make the air that we live in the best possible air. And we want to do that while caring for the environment and protecting future generations. By 2050 Daikin aims to be carbon neutral in all its actions and the products and solutions it sells. That is our mission at Daikin.
Daikin Industries Ltd.
Daikin Industries Ltd. based in Osaka, Japan, employs around 80,000 people worldwide and achieved sales of around 18,45 billion euros in financial year 2020 (April 20 – March 21). The company is the global market leader for heat pump and air conditioning systems, as well as air filtration. Daikin Industries Ltd. is the only air conditioning manufacturer in the world that develops and produces all important components such as refrigerants, compressors and electronics in-house.
Daikin Middle East and Africa
Daikin Middle East and Africa is a subsidiary of Daikin Industries Ltd., which specializes in product planning, promotion, sales, after-market service, and support for all air conditioners, heat pumps and refrigeration equipment across the Middle East and Africa region. Daikin has approximately 500 employees across its key markets within the region. Headquartered in Dubai, UAE since March 2006, Daikin MEA has worked on several large-scale projects across residential, commercial, and industrial applications. Daikin continues to make strategic investments to grow the business while also building on its robust corporate structure to give back to society by tapping into the power of technology to provide products and services designed to improve air quality and promote efficient cooling and energy consumption.
More information can be found on www.daikinmea.com
