C6 Group develops air filtration system that kills viruses

Regional Corio, Victoria-based industrial service business C6 Group is making a name for itself with a new locally-made system called Katharsis which filters the majority of viral, bacterial and fungal fine aerosols from air in buildings.

Katharsis uses a combination of protective technologies for maximum effect, which C6 says is equivalent to applying a P2/N95 face mask to a ventilation system, according to the Geelong Manufacturing Council.

C6 Group Chairman Rodney Craig said the application of Katharsis to the fight against Covid-19 was pure serendipity.

Craig said: “It just so happens we came up with testing results just as the announcement of the first bout of COVID came about.

“We said ‘Well hang on a moment, our product will do this, we just need to keep working on it to get the results’.

“It was an opportunity to create the ability to address something that has been completely devastating to society globally.”

The chapels and office complexes of Kings Funerals Parlours were first to try the new system at their Newcomb and Geelong sites in the region, with announcements planned on installations in local medical centres.

The team are seeking backing from government and other stakeholders to scale up to production of up to 10,000 units.

“We are very mindful of not rushing, we have to do it rights.

“It becomes far more powerful if we have done the manufacture, the installations and testing and we have proof of concept rather than just having an idea, which is what we had 12 to 18 months ago.”

The Katharsis system has automatic compensation for the higher pressure drop associated with finer filters, deploys UV irradiation to control airborne viruses and other pathogens and a bespoke nanotechnology-based catalyst developed in collaboration with Deakin University under a federal Industry Innovation Grant.

The catalyst enhances the capture and destruction of aqueous aerosols that may contain viruses or other pathogens, and all three measures combined provide unparalleled protection, according to Craig.

“Planes, trains and automobiles are on the cards as potential markets for the system, which offers ‘back to base’ monitoring of substances like carbon monoxide as well as stripping odours.

C6 is also eyeing restaurant chains, hotels and international expansion, and says air conditioning manufacturers may be able to modify their units using the IP.

C6 Group is a joint venture between Workplace Alliance and GPS Electrical Services offering extensive services to businesses in a range of industries.

“When we start to develop this we want to build it locally.

“We have done a lot of background work, testing, fabrication and manufacturing. We want to be able to give a value product with locally produced goods.

“It doesn’t need to go offshore, I think we all know that. If everyone jumps on board it is great because we will use our local people, our local products. Everyone wins”

Picture: C6 Group

This story originally appeared at the Geelong Manufacturing Council’s website. 

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