Newtownabbey companies to the fore in battle against Covid

Biomedical company, Torax Biosciences, has launched a revolutionary new hand sanitiser proven to kill 99.99 per cent of bacteria and viruses and manufactured to the World Health Organisation’s recommended formulation.

ToraSan Instant Hand Sanitiser is a locally produced sanitiser formulated and developed by scientists to meet internationally recognised quality standards.

Products are manufactured under strict laboratory conditions at the company’s Newtownabbey headquarters, led by Managing Director and esteemed clinical researcher and published scientific author, Dr Lawrence McGrath PhD, MSc, T.D.

Dr McGrath said: “As we approach the colder seasons, it is important that people continue to be vigilant with hand hygiene and use a high-quality, clinically approved sanitiser capable of protecting everyone we care about.”

ToraSan’s unique formula provides a minimum concentration of 75 per cent isopropyl, certified by the World Health Organisation to provide the optimum level of protection against bacteria and viruses.

Dr McGrath continued: “ToraSan products are manufactured to the World Health Organisation’s recommended formulation and are independently tested and verified to ensure the integrity of antibacterial and antiviral properties. ToraSan is formulated using isopropyl, which is the gold standard in antibacterial and antiviral defence.

“Not only does isopropyl provide optimal protection but it’s also kinder to skin. Ethanol-based sanitisers, whilst being potentially less effective, can also cause dry and cracked skin, or lead to more severe skin conditions with prolonged use.

“ToraSan also contains Tea Tree Oil, which helps protect the skin, providing its own well-known anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antibacterial qualities.”

Available as an Instant Hand Sanitiser Spray in a range of volumes, from 50ml handbag bottles to 500ml desk bottles, the lightweight mist formula instantly dries on the hands without stickiness.

Dr McGrath added: “It is clear to us that consumers are becoming more educated in what products and formulations provide the optimum levels of protection and ToraSan offers the highest levels of protection on the market.”

Meanwhile, Environmental Street Furniture (ESF) has been at the forefront of innovation globally for many years, however their latest product, the HydroPod, is proving to be a hit closer to home.

The HydroPod, a hand washing station that uses only soap and water, was designed and manufactured by ESF, in partnership with Jans Composites, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The touchless system provides hand washing facilities for those businesses and organisations, including schools, that are committed to minimising the spread of infectious diseases.

Speaking about the HydroPod, which was officially launched on September 7, Alan Lowry, Managing Director of ESF said: “Like many businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic, ESF wanted to utilise our capabilities to offer solutions to businesses that would help prevent the spread of the disease.

“Working with Ronan and the team at Jans Composites and keeping mindful of the Government’s guidance, including the regular washing of hands, we concluded that the placement of more hand washing facilities would be imperative in minimising the spread of the disease and so, the HydroPod was created.

“The system has many features that makes it ideal for different settings, whether indoor or outdoor; it’s wheelchair accessible, it can be mains or standalone operated, it is non-flammable and it’s sustainable.

“The fact that it only uses soap and water means there are no harsh chemicals so it can be used by anyone, including those with skin care issues. There are no expensive gels to buy either, which means it is an extremely cost-effective option.

“Since going on the market, the HydroPod has been extremely well received by businesses, retail stores, event organisers, as well as sports and educational facilities and we look forward to seeing this product grow.”

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Cllr Jim Montgomery, who attended the launch of the HydroPod said: “It’s a credit to our borough to see how local businesses have adapted to the needs of the Covid-19 pandemic and ESF is no exception.

“The HydroPod is a truly innovative product that has the potential to be successful not just in the months, but years ahead. This is also an excellent example of two local companies collaborating to respond to changing market conditions and help secure jobs and I congratulate all involved.”

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