Riseindemandfor protectivecoatings
A COMPANY run by a Wexford father and daughter team has seen an increase in demand since the outbreak of Covid-19 for a special coating which prevents the spread and transmission of germs, bacteria and viruses.
NP Liquid Glass Systems is a specialist firm run by John and Rachel Murphy of Duncormick, where the company is based.
‘We’ve definitely seen an increase in demand for our Bacterlon coating which would have been mainly used in medical centres, hospitals and nursing homes. We are now getting enquiries from hotels, salons, restaurants, creches and offices,’ said Rachel.
The company would normally have used its standard Liquid Glass stain repellent coating for fabrics and surfaces in these venues before Covid-19, but with businesses reopening under strict hygiene measures during the coronavirus crisis, demand has risen for a germ-resistant coating.
‘ The Bacterlon coatings can be applied to so many different surfaces and are proven to prevent the spread of germs (tested by the NHS in the UK and healthcare institutions in Denmark as well as in Germany) and it’s also completely environmentally friendly and toxin free,’ Rachel explained.
NP Liquid Glass Systems recently protected all the soft furnishings in the Intercontinental Hotel in Dublin. Closer to home, it has protected all high-touch areas such as light switches, door handles, high chairs, table tops and hand rails in Nourrice creche in Wexford (opposite Kate’s Farm Shop), giving the owner Gillian Murphy peace of mind that germs are not being spread in the facility.
The company was started by Rachel’s father John back in 2013 when he was looking for a breathable solution to prevent damp in an old stone farm house he was renovating.
‘He found a company in Germany, Nanopool, which manufactures and develop nano coatings. He was really impressed with the results, so we started to research the applications and possible market in Ireland,’ said Rachel, who joined the firm in 2014. ‘We now treat all different surfaces, from fabric and carpets with our stain-repellent coating to metal, plastics, glass, fabric and carpets with our Bacterlon coating. All the coatings are toxin free so they are child, pet and food safe.
‘Liquid glass is a cost-effective surface protection treatment that is used for almost every surface, including stone, wood, plastic, metals and fibres.’
The product can be applied to walls as an anti-mould and anti-algae protection and to prevent graffiti and can also be used to combat the widespread problem of chewing gum litter on streets, which is an issue for many local authorities, as it prevents discarded gum from sticking to surfaces. NP Liquid Glass Systems works nationwide, from its base at Ballyfrory Farm in Duncormick.
KILMOKEA Gardens & Café near Campile is now offering guests flower essences to boost their wellbeing. During lockdown co-owner Emma Hewlett completed a Flower and Vibrational Essences course online.
‘As well as stocking Konical Organic essential oils, I make up flower essences for the emotional wellbeing of our guests.’
Ms Hewlett said visitors to the gardens will enjoy a safe, restorative and relaxing space which has historical videos on show throughout the gardens.
For younger visitors, there are fairy trails, the Viking and Norman areas and the Potager Box Maze.
‘We are also delighted to welcome our new head gardener, Marty Reville from Airfield, Gardens to join us. He is transforming our food garden to produce so much of our own Kilmokea fruit and vegetables using organic methods.’
She said that Kilmokea is also creating an Aromatherapy Garden and permaculture garden for growing vegetables.