A world that will never be the same as before
and our home will never be the same place we have lived in until now.
Today our home is not just a place to enjoy the affection of our loved ones, or to spend the night and the few hours we have to spare after work and leisure.
Our home has become a refuge, a place where we know we can be safe.

Our home has to be safe
because depending on the circumstances it may also become a place where we will spend a lot of time  alone (even working) or with our loved ones.
For this reason, in addition to being aesthetically pleasing, reflecting our taste and expressing our way of being, the principles that guide the architectural and interior decoration choices in construction and home furnishings will need to maximize the liveability of interior spaces.
Liveability that also translates into the choice of flooring, cladding and furnishings that ensure maximum wellbeing and protection of our health, in a simple and lasting way.

Preparing and enjoying food with complete peace of mind
The antimicrobial (bacteria, viruses, moulds), anti-odour and self-cleaning properties of ACTIVE SURFACES^® make this product ideal for use in environments intended for the preparation and consumption of food.
Whether in a domestic or industrial kitchen, covering hobs, worktops and tables with ACTIVE SURFACES^®, this means to protect the hygiene of surfaces that are constantly in contact with food and people.
Furthermore, the ability to combat odours is welcomed both in private homes (e.g. open space kitchens) and in restaurants and pubs, where it is important to guarantee appropriate standards of comfort for the public.
In addition to all this, ACTIVE SURFACES^® offers the practicality of being easy to clean, significantly reducing the use of aggressive, toxic and often very expensive detergents.

ACTIVE SURFACES^® for antibacterial/antiviral and anti-mould kitchen tops
Today more than ever, food preparation and consumption environments require greater protection to ensure hygiene.
In home kitchens as well as on catering worktops, ACTIVE SURFACES^® is an investment in the protection of people thanks to the antibacterial, antiviral and anti-mould efficacy (all ISO certified properties) of the surfaces that come constantly into contact with food and people.

ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIVIRAL EFFICACY

The oxidation process induced by ACTIVE SURFACES^® photocatalysis destroys bacteria which come into contact with the surface. From an antibacterial point of view, the presence of silver makes the ceramics active, even in the dark, against both common strains and those particularly harmful to human health such as antibiotic-resistant strains (MRSA).

ACTIVE SURFACES^® also prevent the formation of biofilms. Recent ISO certifications confirm ACTIVE SURFACES antiviral properties. Tests conducted on two particularly insidious and contagious viral strains, H1N1 influenza virus and Enterovirus 71, demonstrate over 99% efficacy against viruses. In addition, ACTIVE products’ anti-mold and anti-fungal properties are also certified. ACTIVE SURFACES^® were the subject of a major study by the Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, and Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health at the University of Milan, to verify their antiviral properties against the SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus (responsible for Covid-19). The research was carried out by Iris Ceramica Group's ACTIVE Research and Development Department in collaboration with the authoritative technical and scientific committee of the two departments at the University of Milan. The resulting data confirmed the astonishing ability of ACTIVE SURFACES^® to eliminate 94% of SARS-CoV-2 after only 4 hours of exposure to low intensity UV light (natural daylight and traditional light bulbs even at low intensity).

ACTIVE SURFACES^® FOR ANTIBACTERIAL/ANTIVIRAL KITCHEN TOPS

HOW DOES ACTIVE WORK?
Thanks to the oxidation process induced by photocatalysis, ACTIVE SURFACES^® destroys the bacteria and viruses that come into contact with the kitchen worktop. The photocatalytic process in fact causes a high concentration of hydroxyl radicals to form on the surface of the ACTIVE ceramic. They act by eliminating bacteria and viruses with an efficacy of more than 99% and in a completely natural way.

EFFECTIVE IN THE DARK AND IN THE PRESENCE OF LED LIGHTS

ACTIVE SURFACES^® also works in the dark and in the presence of LED lights thanks to the combined use of titanium dioxide and silver, which enhances and improves antibacterial performance.
Tests carried out under international standards (ISO 27447 and ISO 22196 for bacteria, ISO 18061 and ISO 21702 for viruses) confirm that ACTIVE SURFACES^® works in any lighting condition, from a conventional one, under the new LED lights, in low light conditions, such as shaded areas, but also in the dark.
Four types of viruses were tested from the pandemic influenza strains H1N1 and H3N2, to the polio virus and a typical childhood disease called “hand, foot and mouth disease”. In all cases, the combined action of TiO2 and silver, present only in ACTIVE SURFACES^®, ensured the destruction of viral strains with an efficacy of over 99%
As for bacteria, both common bacteria such as Escherichia Coli or Enterococcus Faecalis, but also antibiotic-resistant ones (MRSA), potentially fatal to humans, were tested. In all cases, ACTIVE surfaces proved to be really effective.
Furthermore, specific tests were conducted on the Salmonella enterica bacterium, the most common bacterial agent in the case of food-borne infections, and again ACTIVE SURFACES^® were able to completely eliminate this pathogen.

ACTIVE SURFACES^® FOR ANTI-POLLUTING KITCHEN TOPS
VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are dangerous pollutants that threaten our homes and indoor environments. This domestic pollution is generated, for example, by the materials used in furnishing accessories, paints, personal hygiene and household cleaning products, dust mites, pollen, combustible gas, cigarette smoke, carbon monoxide from the outside and even by room air fresheners.
In 30% of new or recently renovated buildings, all these pollutants can cause “Sick Building Syndrome”, as defined by the WHO, i.e. a series of physical ailments such as: allergies, asthma, headache, nausea, irritation and weakness, which can become even more serious diseases if the exposure to these substances is prolonged. ACTIVE SURFACES^® is one of the most effective responses to domestic environmental pollution.
Once in contact with VOCs, the pro-active and constant action of ACTIVE ceramics transforms them into substances that are completely harmless to us, while also counteracting the onset of mould and fungus. ACTIVE ceramics thus make our environment much healthier and liveable, significantly reducing the risks of exposure to diseases related to these pollutants.

ACTIVE SURFACES^® FOR ANTI-ODOUR KITCHEN TOPS:
Think of a kitchen home, especially if it is open plan or in an open space.
If bad odours are eliminated, the environments we live in undoubtedly become more pleasant.
ACTIVE ceramics are able to degrade the main molecules responsible for bad odours. Indeed, the photocatalytic process leads to degradation of the odorous organic molecules that come into contact with ACTIVE surfaces.
An anti-odour property, which in ACTIVE SURFACES^® is enhanced by the use of an exclusive industrial process that makes the action more effective across the whole surface of the tiles.

ACTIVE SURFACES^® FOR SELF-CLEANING KITCHEN TOPS
Cleanliness is an essential requirement in the catering world as much as in kitchens home. Choosing an easy-to-maintain product is as important as the aesthetics. Fulfilling this requirement facilitates future use of the same kitchen, particularly where the desired state of cleanliness and hygiene is expected to be restored with a few gestures.
Thanks to the “super-hydrophilic” properties of ACTIVE ceramics, dirt adheres less to the tile surfaces, making them easier to clean. This so-called “self-cleaning” property allows surfaces to be simply wiped with water and mild detergents, thus avoiding the most aggressive ones, which are generally toxic and more expensive. Additionally, the presence of silver in the formulation of ACTIVE SURFACES^® also ensures a high degree of sanitisation that lasts over time, thus limiting the use of specific antibacterial or antiviral products.
This property is active in the presence of sunlight, as well as LED lights.