The sanitary ware industry is catching up with the Coronavirus timeline. Ceramic sanitary ware is becoming increasingly resistant to harmful bacteria: it is the result of a study carried out by Kerasan, one of the most important sanitary ware producers in the district of Civita Castellana, Italy. The company has a robotized system capable of optimizing air-enamel pressure as well as applying a layer of crystalline oxide and silver nitrate to the surface of sanitary ware. This makes its collections antimicrobial and anti-limescale. It is basically a protective glaze developed by Kerasan in collaboration with researchers from the University of Pisa. This special glaze makes its products even more resistant to any germ attack.
«The experimental research has been going on for two years - explained the general manager, Roberto Banditelli - and as soon as the interruption due to Covid-19 ends, the whole production line will undergo this professional treatment. There is a lot of interest among loyal customers and potential new buyers because of problems created by Covid-19. Moreover, this new project aims at reducing the impact on the environment because it means zero consumption of anti-limescale products for cleaning. This new development is the result of our commitment in terms of money, work, and study. This type of glaze helps maintain the original beauty of all ceramic products. This is also an additional guarantee for the end user». For the time being, Kerasan will be applying this specific glaze to two sanitary ware collections whose names recall two New York City neighborhoods, Nolita and Tribeca. Kerasan’s technicians have seen that crystalline oxide containing silver nitrate keeps the antibacterial properties of silver when fired at 1,280 C° and in addition, it forms a protective layer of glaze which restricts or prevents the growth and breeding of germs, bacteria and other microorganisms. The result is a low grade of permeability of the surface: the less permeable the surface is, the less likely it is for grime and bacteria to deposit.