Hygiene Pro Clean: Transforming Decontamination and Cleaning Services Through Contracts for Innovation Award

Background

Research and development from Hygiene Pro Clean (HPC) was highlighted in the Evaluation Report of the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI), now Contracts for Innovation, for their role in addressing the urgent decontamination and cleaning needs of ambulances during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The company secured a Contracts for Innovation award through the Welsh SBRI Centre of Excellence (CoE) to develop rapid decontamination and deep cleaning solutions using ultrasonic atomisation technology to help the NHS manage increasing pressures as the virus spread.

Collaborating with the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), the Welsh SBRI CoE worked alongside the Welsh Ambulance Service to identify critical needs in decontaminating ambulances efficiently, forming a challenge programme to tackle the crisis.

Impact

Hygiene Pro Clean (HPC), a Coventry-based manufacturer, rose to the challenge presented by SBRI CoE, DASA, and the Welsh Ambulance Service.  Due to the urgency, the award process took just six weeks to award from the challenge launching, a rapid timeline compared to the typical three to four months.  HPC’s innovative solution involved the use of ultrasonic atomisation for decontaminating ambulances, which significantly reduced the time and cost of cleaning while ensuring the safety of equipment.

Of the 11 solutions tested by the Defence Security and Technology Lab (DSTL), HPC’s stood out.  Their system successfully killed COVID-19 in ambulances and reduced cleaning time of the fleet from 331.5 hours to just 45.7 hours between March and May 2020, making the Welsh Ambulance Service more resilient in its fight against the pandemic.  This success earned SBRI CoE and the Welsh Ambulance Service the 2021 St David’s Innovation, Science and Technology award.

How does it work?

The core of HPC’s effectiveness lies in its Ultrasonic Atomiser, a precision-engineered device developed in the UK with Salford University.  Using ultrasonic vibrations, it transforms the chemical reagent used with the device into a dry mist with ultra-fine 10-15 micron droplets, evenly distributing them throughout the air in a void and across surfaces, even in hard-to-reach areas.

HPC’s patented chemical reagent, Decon Pro Clean is a non-toxic, broad-spectrum reagent based on a product developed for the military.  It is chlorine-free and works seamlessly with the ultrasonic atomisation process.  The reagent contains a unique combination of an effective surfactant, low-level hydrogen peroxide (less than 5%), and Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QAC), which kills all known pathogens, bacteria, fungi and mould, and removes odours.

New Horizons & Cross-Sector Expansion

The company’s emergency services activities have expanded beyond ambulance decontamination and HPC is working with West Midlands Police in their forensic division, leveraging their DNA removal capabilities, cleaning appliances and equipment at the Fire Service College.  HPC continue to collaborate with the National Ambulance Resilience Unit (NARU) to enhance decontamination services, HAZMAT training suit sanitisation, and has broadened its product line to include an array of decontamination and deep cleaning solutions.

Beyond its emergency services clients, HPC has built a successful track record treating and protecting railway rolling stock and restoring property damaged by fire, water and mould.

In a recent conversation with Innovate UK, HPC Managing Director, Jamie Borgeat, shared HPC’s progress since the award:

“We’re focussing on advancing decontamination and deep cleaning solutions, and we’re set to launch the next-generation of ultrasonic atomisers, enhancing efficiency, coverage, and service delivery for a safer, cleaner future.  Recently we established and achieved a clean sweep of approvals for DNA removal enabling us to work with the West Midlands Police forensics division.  Everyone involved is keen on this relationship, and there is a real crossover here, with the use of our systems and techniques.”

Jamie continued: “Thanks to the Contracts for Innovation award we were able to go on and contract with Welsh Ambulance Services, and continue to work with National Ambulance Resilience Unit (NARU) to continue to develop decontamination services and deep cleaning.  The HPC ultrasonic atomiser system we manufacture is portable, flexible and user-friendly, delivering the highest decontamination standards, and it can be deployed quickly in all types of settings.”

Follow Hygiene Pro Clean’s journey here.