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

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. 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 better environment. 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.

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

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