Wintersteiger, the Austrian manufacturer of special machinery, claims to have done away with chemicals in sterilization. Sterex, as its new system is called, uses cold plasma to eliminate up to 99.9 percent of the microorganisms found in skis and other products, among them the multi-resistant bacteria known as hospital germs and SARS-Cov-2, also known as Covid-19. In technical terms, this refers to microorganisms in efficacy groups A (bacteria, fungi, and fungal spores) and B (viruses).
Sterex uses an electronically controlled, high-voltage electrode to charge certain molecules in the air and create a plasma-air mixture. Instead of the usual chemicals, it is these airborne hydroxyl radicals that destroy microorganisms in the air itself and on objects. According to Wintersteiger, tests carried out by Dr. Ulrich-Friedrich Schmelz, head of the competence center for technical hygiene and applied microbiology at Dr. Schmelz GmbH in Malsfeld, Germany, show that the radicals do not harm cells, flora, textile fibers or other objects. Instead, they decompose catalytically into water on contact with living cells.
The process will be available as an option on all newly produced drying equipment developed by the Austrian company for its clients at skiing depots, hotels, rental shops, sport shops, mountain railways and for users of workwear and winter sportswear – in short, any businesses that need to strip germs and odors from textiles.
Sterex also has the benefit of requiring no maintenance. According to Franz Gangl, the company’s head of corporate marketing and communication, Wintersteiger believes that Sterex will prove to be a “revolutionary development in the field of ski service” come January and will boost the launch of its Bike Services products.
Innovating in the area of ski service
The pandemic, Gangl continues, has hit the company “very hard” in the sports segment this year, but the fact that the company sits on “several legs” gives it a solid financial position, allowing it to continue to invest in new products.
Founded in 1953, Wintersteiger is divided into four segments: Seedmech, Sports, Woodtech and Metals. It operates in 130 countries, employs about 1,000, and is headquartered in Ried im Innkreis, Upper Austria.
