UFI Filters Launch Sofima D+Fend - Anti-Virus Cabin Air Filtration Solution against Viruses, Bacteria

UFI Group has launched a revolutionary cabin air filter, SOFIMA D+FEND Antivirus for cars, which has the ability to kill 99.9% harmful bacteria and viruses such as SARS-COV (coronavirus). SOFIMA D+FEND Antivirus is the result of the vast experience in R&D of UFI Filters Group. this revolutionary product is composed of a non-woven fabric filter media which incorporates silver ions in addition to copper ions. While copper ions destroy the cell barrier of viruses and bacteria, silver ions penetrate the nucleus, neutralizing them outright.

SOFIMA D+FEND Anti-virus incorporates the antimicrobial and antiviral active substances into the fibers themselves, which are made up of polymeric material. Thanks to the prolonged release of ions from the two elements embedded in the fibers, the filter has the power to destroy the bacterial and viral load over a prolonged period, unlike other solutions on the market today, the properties of which are diminished after just a few working cycles following the installation of the filter on the vehicle.

The tests carried out by Microbac® Laboratories in Virginia and Guangdong Detection Center for microbiology (GDDCM) in Guangzhou – accredited by the China National Accreditation of Laboratory (CNAL) – have demonstrated that the product is absolutely non-toxic and presents no OIT (octylisothiazolinone), which is harmful to human health, and has a virus and bacteria kill rate higher than 99.5%. Specifically, the laboratory tests have certified the capacity of the filter to neutralize the much-feared coronaviruses from the SARS-COV family (kill rate 99.5%), as well as influenza A H1N1, H3N2 and H7N9, in addition to various types of dangerous bacteria such as E. coli and staphylococcus aureus (kill rate 99.9%).

The innovative SOFIMA D+FEND Anti-virus filters, for the Indian market, will be produced in SOFIMA FILTERS INDIA Plant in Bahadurgarh, dedicated to the manufacturing of filters for the Aftermarket sector, inaugurated in October 2019. The SOFIMA D+FEND Anti-virus cabin filters can be found in our Aftermarket India catalogue and belong to product code family ending with KN2.

Luca Betti, Group Aftermarket Business Unit Director, says: "We are extremely proud of the results achieved thanks to the collaboration of our Innovation Centers in China, India and in Italy.

UFI Filters Group has chosen to give a meaningful name to this innovative D+FEND Anti-virus filter media, which has been certified according to ISO 11155-1:2001 standard having a filtration efficiency of more than 95% for aerosol particles, with dimension equal to 0.3 microns. When applied to cabin air filters, this innovative material thus offers a clear improvement in the quality of the air inside vehicles, during a historical period in which the health of the individual is absolutely paramount."

Hridesh Sharma, CEO of UFI Filters India: "The investment made by UFI Filters Group in Research and Development is ongoing. This innovative product bears testament to our desire to remain at the cutting edge when it comes to innovation and is evidence of the exceptional ability of our technicians to work with laboratories and certified institutions at international level. We are honoured to be able to offer the Indian market a revolutionary premium product which will improve people's quality of life, as the product's advertising message - BECAUSE WE CARE - highlights."

About UFI Filters GroupFounded in 1971, UFI Filters is a global leader in filtration technology and thermal management. It serves a wide range of sectors – from automotive, aerospace and marine to specialized industrial and customized hydraulic applications. Renowned for its innovation, UFI’s products and know-how are to be found in all kinds of vehicles – from Ferrari and other top F1 teams, to the European ExoMars spacecraft.

UFI supplies the full range of air, oil, fuel, cabin, hydraulic and coolant filters as well as thermal management systems to the automotive sector, meeting the needs of nearly all car brands and motorcycles as well as commercial, heavy duty and agricultural vehicles. In the OE market, UFI is a leading filtration provider. Each family of filters within the company’s two Aftermarket brands, UFI and Sofima, covers 96% of the European car parc.

One of the first Italian companies to identify growth opportunities in the Far East, today UFI ha19 industrial sites and employs over 4,000 people in 19 countries. It employs 168 specialized technicians in its Innovation and Research Centers and holds 223 patents. UFI has doubled its turnover in the last 10 years. As a research-driven company, it reinvests over 5% of its revenues in R&D.