Silver Water: low environmental impact silver-based sanitizing

• Grant number: 22/01699-7
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: July 01, 2022
• End date: December 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biophysics
• Agreement: FINEP - PIPE/PAPPE Grant
• Principal Investigator: Jonny Francisco Ros de Almeida
• Grantee: Jonny Francisco Ros de Almeida
• Company: ADP Água de Prata Tecnologia em Soluções Metálicas Ltda
• CNAE: Fabricação de produtos de limpeza e polimento ; Fabricação de equipamentos e aparelhos elétricos não especificados anteriormente ; Aluguel de máquinas e equipamentos não especificados anteriormente
• City: São Paulo
• Associated researchers: Cledson Akio Sakurai ; Lígia Ferreira Gomes

Abstract

The proposed research project represents the next step, following the conclusion of PIPE phase 2, in the development of a silver nanopariticle-based (AgNP) sanitizing agent of low environmental impact, and which aims an specific market segment for commercialization. The results obtained in PIPE phase 2 confirm the bactericidal effect of the product through a series of tests, as well as its low toxicity towards human beings. Also it was possible to consolidate the production process, through the prototype machine, which reached the 100 litre per day mark. Now it is necessary to advance towards the required adjustments in order to reach: i) robustness, ii) reliability, iii) flexibility, and iv) scalability. Also it will be necessary to perform all the marketing positioning work for the product, as a disinfectant of risk 1 class product, in order for it to be inserted successfully in the semi-critical environment of hospitals and clinics. One of the most important points of this research will be the adjustments of the product formula, as for now, it aims at a specific market segment, and it is possible to focus in optimizing its efficiency against bacteria and microorganisms which represent the major problem in such environments. The cumulated know-how of the main researcher constitute a strong support in this situation. It is important to observe that in this case it is not about a new formula neither changing its composition, but rather an adjustment of the production parameters in order to reach an optimal point in effectiveness for the mentioned environments. We included in this research project a validation phase for the positioning of the product regarding the target market, as well as the analysis of the competition and a detailed commercial strategy for the full commercialization phase. The methodology to comply with such objectives will be the analysis and adjustment of the existing production process, considering the adoption of an open platform for electronic control, once with the current equipment and production process the costs to achieve the 100.000 liter/month mark would be problematic, and would impact the final price of the product. The adjustment of the product formula will be performed through the continuous variation of the production parameters: current, timing, reactant concentration etc., all these will be considered in order to change the physical-chemical properties of the final product, and consequently finding the most suitable formulation to deal with the bacteria of the target market. Finally, another important phase for the advancement of this project is the licensing of the product as a disinfectant risk 1 class, according to the rules of ANVISA. We expect to achieve a total commercialization volume of 10.000 liters/month after the first year of operation and reach the 100.000 liter/month mark at year 03, which corresponds an annual revenue of R 13.200.000,00 (thirteen million and two hundred thousand reais) with a profit margin of 3,18.The major strong point of the product, from the market point of view, is the fact that it presents good results (effectiveness), with a lower cost when compared to the direct competitors and with a lower environmental impact and also smaller side-effects to human beings. (AU)