A Special Nano-Spraying In ČD Trains

In Moravskoslezský kraj (MSK, the Moravian-Silesian Region), the first phase of a pilot project was recently completed, in which ČD, the Region, NanoZone and Zdravotní ústav Ostrava (ZÚO, the Ostrava Health Institute) are cooperating. The goal is to reduce the occurrence of viruses and bacteria in the train interior to a minimum using a special nano-spray. The project was planned before the pandemic of the new coronavirus, but now its implementation was accelerated.

Ostrava-based NanoZone (a member of the global NanoYo Japan of Osaka) started applying nano-spraying on 20 March 2020, and the last train was treated on 16 April. In less than a month, the protective layer was applied to a total of 11 EMUs - nine Class 471 CityElefants and two Class 650 RegioPanters. Together, they now provide approximately 100 services daily in the MSK.

ČD trains go regularly through thorough cleaning, disinfection and ozonation as standard. Nano-spraying is unique in that it is a permanent protection, in trains it should protect passengers from microorganisms for at least three years. The spray is invisible and its application is very fast and undemanding, each train requiring a work of about 4 hours. Almost immediately, each of the trains was able to enter service again.

Now NanoZone will monitor the hygienic cleanliness of the treated surfaces. The ZÚO will also take and evaluate samples on a regular basis. The guarantor of the project is the Region, which also covered costs of around 2 million CZK (around 75,000 EUR).