KME and SEA: Copper Anti-COVID Surfaces at Linate

KME has launched SaCup, a product range made of copper and copper alloys designed to enhance the metal’s natural antimicrobial properties, making public and high-traffic areas safer.

Handrails, handles and supports in antimicrobial copper

Serravalle Copper Tubes is directly involved in the project developed by the KME Group. The SaCup range includes a variety of finished and semi-finished products – from copper tubes to sheets, bars and coatings, including special films – all designed for use across multiple sectors: from retail to healthcare, from transport to hospitality, from furniture to commercial settings and schools.

Thanks to its intrinsic properties, copper has a permanent germicidal effect that is activated in a very short time, eliminating viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

The Virology Institute of the University of Pisa, working closely with KME on this initiative, found that within 60 minutes, the viral load of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is neutralised by 100%, with a 90% reduction already after just 10 minutes.

In an anti-COVID perspective, SEA is now implementing a pilot project at Milan Linate Airport in collaboration with KME: the most frequently touched surfaces – including handrails, luggage trolley handles, and the supports on shuttle buses to the aircraft – will be coated in copper.

<figure class="wp-block-image"></figure><figure class="wp-block-image"></figure>### **The Linate Project**

The collaboration with SEA is part of a broader project led by Milan Linate Airport, aimed at introducing a range of new technologies to make the travel experience as touchless as possible. Where a completely contactless approach is not feasible, measures are being implemented to reduce the risk of infection—such as the installation of copper surfaces from the SaCup line.

In the context of the pandemic and in shaping a post-Covid-19 future—where individual protection in social interactions will remain a key concern—KME is committed to promoting the wider use of this extraordinary material and its alloys, so that people can feel safer when touching surfaces in high-traffic environments.

The new product range confirms KME Group’s ability to apply its full expertise in copper processing to meet today’s most urgent challenges, through a project that aims to ensure a safer lifestyle in terms of hygiene and health, particularly in the everyday public spaces we all share.

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