UV-Chemicals will be launching a nano product for the man in the street. It is an invisible, easily spread coating that makes windows self-cleaning.

The product, which is coming onto the market this year, can be used to coat all existing old windows. The operation of the product is based on nano particles that decompose dirt, such as pollen and soot, using daylight and moisture in the air. Window cleaning will be reduced by a half.

"It's also extremely cheap to use. So it really is top nanotechnology for every home in everyday life," says Anssi Seppinen, the technical director.

All that is needed for spreading the coating is an aerosol and window sponge. The product can be used on glass surfaces and also on stone structures in the yard and garden.

Reputation made in Finland, livelihood abroad

UV-Chemicals is a young company established in 2004. The company's aim is to make operations profitable by the beginning of next year. The turnover is set to double year by year between 2006 and 2009.

"We are responding to the challenges of growth by outsourcing production and sales to distribution channels where possible. In this way we can, as a small company, minimize the risks that are attendant with growth," Seppinen says.

"We're aiming for partnership agreements with big multinational companies, which will make it possible to penetrate the market as quickly as possible. We're making our reputation in Finland and our livelihood from abroad.

More hygienic food and cooking

UV-Chemicals is expanding its know-how to food and cooking. In this case it is a matter of of a product that is very different from the window coating, although the operating mechanism in the end product is the same as in the dirt-free windows.

The product improves the level of hygiene in kitchen utensils used by killing off bacteria. It helps the washing by reducing the amount of detergent and length of the wash, which, in turn, reduces the amount of environmental loading. The bacteria decompose into carbon dioxide and water, as a result of which there is no danger of "super-bacteria" being created as is the case with the normal antibacterial detergents and cleaning agents.

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Water does not remain in the form of drop or stripe stains on a surface treated with DirtAway.