Pharmaco managing director Chandra Selvadurai, AWS group general manager Richard Hanna, and AWS scientific advisor Dr Ian Calhaem with the EcoChemist products.

A new range of eco-friendly sanitisers made in New Zealand will challenge reliance on harsh chemicals and alcohol to keep our environments and hands clean in an increasingly germ-sensitive world.

The EcoChemist‘s products are made using electrochemistry, which produces a naturally occurring super disinfectant, hypochlorous acid (HOCL), in an electrically charged water-based solution. Laboratory testing confirms this kills 99.99% of germs.

The range include a surface and air sanitiser that uses a dry fogging process to efficiently sanitise indoor spaces. Being environmentally friendly, it can be used while people are present. There is also a foaming sanitiser that is gentle on the skin, meaning it can be used as often as needed.

The EcoChemist is a partnership between healthcare company Pharmaco (NZ) Limited, and AWS Group, an Auckland-based specialist in antimicrobial and cleaning chemistry.

Pharmaco managing director Chandra Selvadurai says maintaining an expected level of cleanliness can be challenging, especially when harsh chemicals are used, such as bleach, hydrogen peroxide and sodium hypochlorite.

“A lot of cleaning happens at night, but with our products it can happen any time, even when people are around during the day.”

Dr Ian Calhaem, scientific advisor to AWS, says the production of hypochlorous acid using electrochemistry is a niche science that now has mass-market appeal. 

“The naturally occurring HOCL is the powerful germ killer that is the base of the hand, surface and air sanitiser range and is an effective and environmental solution for constant hygiene.

“HOCL has been used in the food industry for many years but with the demand created recently there‘s now a much wider application. Another benefit is it does not contribute to the growing bacterial resistance shown by many traditional chemical products in recent years.”

The EcoChemist range includes four products in total: the surface and air sanitiser and foaming sanitiser, plus a sanitiser and surface protectant, and coating protectant paint. Both are specialised commercial products that protect surfaces from pathogens for up to three years from a single application. 

The range is available through wholesale channels, online through Pharmaco Emergency Care, Pharmaco Diabetes and Crown Dental websites and directly from Pharmaco (NZ) Limited.