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January 17, 2011

Sales of Products Equipped with Sharp’s Plasmacluster Ion Technology Reach 30 Million Units Worldwide


Total sales of products from Sharp Corporation and products from companies in other industries equipped with Plasmacluster Ion technology, Sharp’s proprietary air purification technology, reached 30 million units worldwide at the end of December 2010, approximately 10 years after Sharp first embedded this technology in air purifiers in September 2000. Although it took approximately five years to achieve the first 10 million units sold, it required only about three years to reach 20 million total units sold and then only two more years to reach the 30-million-unit mark, evidence that the use of Plasmacluster Ion technology is spreading at an accelerating pace.

Thus far, Plasmacluster Ion technology has been deployed in 11 of Sharp’s own products, including air purifiers, air conditioners, refrigerators, and MFPs. In addition, this technology is being used in an ever broadening array of interior spaces, including inside vehicles, railway passenger cars, and elevators, and last year, was adopted for use in manufacturing plants and amusement facilities. Also, with the recent decision of Nankai Electric Railway Co., Ltd. to introduce Plasmacluster Ion technology on its “Southern” 12000 series limited express railcars scheduled to begin service around the autumn of 2011, the number of companies adopting this technology has grown to 27.

At the same time, internationally, the number of countries where Plasmacluster-equipped products are available has doubled in the past two years, and currently stands at approximately 100. In addition, Plasmacluster is increasingly being adopted for use in prominent hotels. Sharp has also been intensifying the development of products equipped with Plasmacluster Ion technology designed specifically for local markets to encourage wider use not only in developed countries, but also in emerging markets, particularly in ASEAN countries. For example, Sharp took note of the rising demand for motorbikes and scooters in Indonesia and will introduce a Plasmacluster Ion generator designed to deodorize motorbike helmets in late January.

To demonstrate the efficacy of Plasmacluster Ion technology, Sharp has taken the lead in the industry in promoting “academic marketing”, a collaborative research approach to product marketing that works with independent scientific research organizations around the world. In the nearly 10 years to date, the effectiveness of Plasmacluster Ion technology has been proven against 29 different types of harmful substances, including viruses and bacteria. Now, the range of its efficacy has been extended to include skin beautifying effects and the ability to neutralize pet odors, and is receiving high marks from users.

Sharp will continually assess the global market, and will strive to contribute to society by offering a series of new products equipped with Plasmacluster Ion technology intended to create a healthier environment.

Press Releases

Current Sharp Products Featuring Plasmacluster Ion Technology (total: 11)
(as of January 17, 2011)

Product name
Air purifiers
Air conditioners
Refrigerators
Portable room air cooler/clothes dryer/dehumidifiers
Humidifiers
Humidifying ceramic fan heaters
Cyclonic vacuum cleaners
Washer/dryers
Plasmacluster Ion generators
LED lighting
MFPs

Products from Companies in Other Industries Adopting Plasmacluster Ion Technology (total: 27)

Note: As of January 17, 2011, in order of adoption; official corporate names omitted.

Company Product
INAX
Toilet with bidet seat
MAX Electric bathroom heater/ventilator/dryer, 24-hour ventilation system
TOSTEM Electric bathroom heater/ventilator/dryer
DENSO ACE Whole-house air conditioning system
Nissan Motor Car air conditioner, car air purifier
DENSO Car air purifier, car Plasmacluster Ion generator, car air conditioner
Toyota Motor Car air purifier, car air conditioner
Rinnai Gas fan heater, hot-water bathroom heater/dryer
Osaka Gas Gas fan heater
Toho Gas Gas fan heater, hot-water bathroom heater/dryer
Saibu Gas Gas fan heater
Fujitec Elevator
Daihatsu Motor Car air conditioner
Tornex Smoke control system
Misawa Homes 24-hour floor central ventilation system
Tokyo Gas Gas fan heater
Shimizu Plasmacluster Ion duct system
Takara Standard Mist sauna
Hino Motors Bus air conditioner
Isuzu Motors Bus air conditioner
Endo Lighting Lighting fixture with built-in Plasmacluster Ion generator
TOMY Air cleaner
Nippon Calmic Air sanitizer
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Air purification system for railcars
JGC Factory air conditioning system
SAXA Air purification module for amusement facilities
Nankai Electric Railway Air purification system for railcars

Research Organizations in Japan and Abroad with Which Sharp Has Conducted Collaborative Research to Attain Experimental Proof of Efficacy (total: 17)

Target Substance Testing & Verification Organization
Viruses Kitasato Research Center of Environmental Sciences, Japan
Seoul National University, Korea
Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China
Kitasato Institute Medical Center Hospital, Japan
Retroscreen Virology, Ltd., UK
Shokukanken Inc., Japan
Hanoi College of Technology, Vietnam National University, Vietnam
Allergens Graduate School of Advanced Sciences of Matter, Hiroshima University, Japan
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Japan
Mold fungi Ishikawa Health Service Association, Japan
University of Lübeck, Germany
Professor Gerhard Artmann, Aachen University of Applied Sciences, Germany
Japan Food Research Laboratories, Japan
Bacteria Ishikawa Health Service Association, Japan
Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China
Kitasato Research Center of Environmental Sciences, Japan
Kitasato Institute Medical Center Hospital, Japan
Dr. Melvin W. First, Professor Emeritus, Harvard School of Public Health, US
Tottori Prefecture Animal Clinical Research Foundation, Japan
University of Lübeck, Germany
Professor Gerhard Artmann, Aachen University of Applied Sciences, Germany
Japan Food Research Laboratories, Japan
Odors, pet smells Japan Spinners Inspecting Foundation, Japan
Tottori Prefecture Animal Clinical Research Foundation, Japan
Skin beautifying effects Soiken Inc., Japan
In collaboration with 17 research organizations, Sharp has proven the efficacy of Plasmacluster Ions against 29 types of harmful substances (viruses, allergens, mold fungi, and bacteria) as well as their efficacy in neutralizing odors and beautifying skin.


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