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.
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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