A new alternative anti-viral sanitising solution that is free from alcohol and chemicals is being launched by Shropshire-based hygiene specialist Room Shield Ltd.

The company has signed a joint venture agreement with North Staffordshire’s Future Developments Manufacturing Ltd to commercialise its HOCL (hypochlorous acid) products.

Room Shield has invested over £250,000 into developing its new eco-friendly range at its base in Telford using a similar formula and technology that has been used in hospitals for more than 30 years and is proven to be the fastest application for cleaning and disinfecting both skin and surfaces.

Product development has focused on increasing the traditional formula shelf life of 4-8hr to more than 12 months and this is set to open up a multi-million-pound opportunity, with the likes of Sunseeker luxury yachts, Euro Car Parts and the RAC all signing up to use it.

Kevin Parr, who set-up the business with fellow shareholders John Donnelly and Dave Williams, said: “Covid-19 has brought hand sanitising clearly into focus and with it, unfortunately, has been a rise in dermatological issues caused by some of the alcohol and sensitising chemicals commonly used in these products.”

“HOCL is a water-based hypochlorous disinfectant formula that kills 99.9999% of bacteria and 99.99% of viruses and can be used in all environments, including bars, food preparation areas, restaurants, gyms, hotels, transport, schools and workplaces.”

He continued: “What we have done successfully is become the first company in the UK to find a way of bringing a fully accessible range of products to the general public, and this unique market position is something we plan to capitalise on with our distribution partners over the next 12 months.

“Halal certified and tested on biocidal activity to the highest British Standards levels, our Surface Shield product range features easy to carry 25ml and 100ml sprays, wipes, trigger sprays, Trigger Shield guns and it can be used in Airmosphere room protection devices.”

Room Shield has enhanced the production capabilities at Future Developments in Burslem to cope with the anticipated ramp-up in demand with 40 new jobs expected to be created as the roll-out gathers pace.

The domestic market is just the start for the business and the management team is currently in discussions with several distributors to help take the product global. This has already seen Advanced Hygienics, Anixter, Busters Group, Pestfix and Sanitimes agree to act on behalf of the firm, with the production blueprint in place if manufacturing lines need to be installed overseas.

Mr Donnelly added: “It is difficult to explain the magnitude of what a breakthrough this is, and it has only been possible due to the technical knowledge and expertise of our manufacturing partner.

“By increasing the shelf life of our HOCL formula we have made it accessible to all and there is no safer and more effective sanitising solution currently available. It will protect you against bacteria and viruses and, importantly, will help to prevent the dermatological issues that can arise from using too much hand sanitiser that has alcohol or sensitising chemicals present.”

Martin Dodd, head of support services at Sunseeker International Ltd, added: “On reviewing our provision for anti-viral sanitising and disinfecting we have concluded that the Surface Shield HOCL range offers the safest and most-effective formula to help us deliver the highest standards of protocol across all aspects of our business.

“Importantly, the products played a key role in providing our customers with the best and safest possible experience at the recent Southampton International Boat Show.”

In addition to its HOCL products, Room Shield also produces a range of other cleaning products under its Complete Shield range.