Figures were released based on a survey of 46.32 million households conducted by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare.
This Sharp Corp. trademark product is currently being used by 17 companies worldwide in their products ranging from home appliances to automobiles, with plasmacluster ion generators being supplied to 10 companies.
Sharp first embedded this technology in air purifiers in September 2000 as a revolutionary cleaning system that deactivates harmful substances in the air.
Since then, Sharp has been using plasmacluster ion generators in its air conditioners, refrigerators, room heaters, laundry drying dehumidifiers, and cyclonic vacuum cleaners.
At present, Sharp is offering 10 types of products equipped with this breakthrough technology.
This same technology is also currently being used in other industries, including toilet with bidet seats and in-vehicle air purifiers.
Plasmacluster ion technology was conceived amid an increasing health and environmental concern worldwide.
Plasmacluster ions have been clinically proven to release positive and negative ions that effectively deactivate harmful substances in the air, including airborne bacteria, mold fungus, viruses, and allergens.
Through a collaboration with academic research organizations from various parts of the world, Sharp gained global recognition in November 2004 for its demonstration of plasmacluster ions’ effectiveness and reliability.
Companies that use plasmacluster ion technology in their products include Rinnai Corp. for gas fan heaters; and Nissan, Toyota, and Daihatsu for in-vehicle air purifiers and air-conditioners.
All products with embedded plasmacluster ion technology bear the "Ion" logo.
Sharp will be expanding its business focus in this area under the concept of "protecting the air in every space we live in with plasmacluster ions," including mobile spaces, hospital and healthcare environments, and manufacturing facilities.
Sharp aims to put plasmacluster ion technology into practical use in the widest possible range of spaces worldwide.