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- After a relatively quiet start to 2021, Sanitiser specialist Zoono Group (ZNO) soared on the ASX today, following a string of major news
- The company makes long-lasting antimicrobial sanitisers, which have now been proven effective against a human version of the coronavirus named 229E
- While this is not the strain that causes COVID-19, it’s in the same family of viruses
- Further to this, Zoono has struck a major supply deal with tech giant Microsoft to ship its sanitisers to Microsoft’s office network
- At the same time, Zoono has partnered with aircraft maker Boeing to offer Zoono products on Boeing planes across the globe
- All this comes during a quarter in which Zoono shipped over $5 million worth of product despite global freight and logistic challenges
- Shares in Zoono Group are up almost 37 per cent this morning to trade at 81 cents each
After a relatively quiet start to 2021, Sanitiser specialist Zoono Group (ZNO) soared on the ASX today, following a string of major news.
The company specialises in creating long-lasting antimicrobial sanitiser products based on its own proprietary nanotechnology solution.
Zoono’s core Microbe Shield surface sanitiser and GermFree24 hand sanitiser products have already been proven to be successful against a feline coronavirus surrogate, but Zoono said today Microbe Shield has now been successfully tested against a human version of the coronavirus named 229E.
Unlike most conventional sanitisers, Zoono’s products don’t rely on poison to kill bacteria but rather bond to any surface and attract and then destroy bacteria and pathogens.
This means the bacteria cannot build up an immunity to Zoono’s products, and the sanitisers are safe for humans and animals alike.
While 229E is not SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, it is of the same family of viruses. Zoono’s product now meets important U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for sanitisers and disinfectants.
More than this, however, Zoono has also struck some key partnerships and shipped major orders over the first quarter of 2021.
Household partners
While Zoono told investors it has appointed some new distribution partners in Norway, Luxembourg, Greece and Poland following necessary regulatory approvals, the company has also struck a supply deal with Microsoft.
According to Zoono, the global tech giant invited Zoono to become an approved supplier to the Microsoft office network following an extensive market evaluation.
Microsoft has already purchased an initial order of Zoono sanitiser products for its Redmond campus in Washington, which is made up of 235 building and 53,500 staff. The roll-out of the Zoono purchase order will kick off in May when staff return to the campus following COVID-19 restrictions.
On top of the Microsoft supply deal, Zoono has also partnered with aircraft maker Boeing to offer Zoono products on Boeing planes across the globe.
Zoono said its Microbe Shield meets Boeing’s specification standards for use in aircraft interiors and, as such, is now available from the Boeing online store.
Sturdy sales, streamlined production
On top of the new partnerships, Zoono said it shipped over $5 million worth of product over the first quarter of 2021 despite global freight and logistic challenges.
This is on top of new sales in the quarter.
Meanwhile, Zoono’s partner company, Fine Hygiene Group, is on track to meet sales projections of US$7 million (around A$9.2 million) over the next six months.
It’s important to note that Fine Hygiene currently only sells its products in three countries, with plans to expand internationally as soon as it meets relevant regulatory requirements.
Finally, Zoono said it has made the call to bring its production of plastic bottles in-house rather than relying on external suppliers. According to the company, this will mitigate one of the production bottlenecks the company experienced during 2020.
Zoono plans to begin producing one million bottles in the “near future”.
Shares in Zoono are up 36.67 per cent at 11:30 am AEDT to 81 cents each. The company has a $128.93 million market cap.
