Coversafe uses natural antimicrobial mineral microsphere technology developed by French firm Pylote, and is made by Gergonne Industrie.

The transparent adhesive film range was already in use as a protection against viruses such as seasonal flu and gastroenteritis, as well as bacteria and moulds.

The fresh testing was carried out independently by the Department of Virology at the University of Limoges in what was described as “extreme conditions of use”.

Antalis stated: “The results were as follows: contact of the Coala film Coversafe with the BASA strain of the human coronavirus SARS-CoV 2 induced a 1.42 log decrease in viral load after a contact time of one hour, which represents an efficiency of 96%, persisting after 10 days of culture.”

Product manager Mike Collins said he was delighted at the outcome of the tests. “This innovation allows us to offer our customers, and their clients, a solution that allows them to continue their activities with improved protection,” he said.

Applications for the film include high traffic surfaces such as dispensers, handrails, door handles, switches and counters in venues including schools, care homes and offices. 

Antalis said the product had previously been tested over the course of four years “without any loss of effectiveness”. It can be cleaned with normal cleaning products.

Coversafe is available in reels for application on larger surfaces, or in cut sizes for items such as door handles.