SANYO to install Air Purification Systems equipped with
‘virus washer’ technology in Warner Mycal Cinemas
Installations for all screens at 26 theaters; Further Expanding the ‘Clean Air Theater’
Tokyo, June 2, 2008 ---- Warner Mycal Corp.(Warner) and SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. (SANYO) announce today that they have entered an exclusive one year agreement stating that SANYO’s packaged rooftop air conditioner unit*1 equipped with an air purification system featuring ‘virus washer’ technology will be exclusively installed for Warner Mycal Cinemas. The air conditioning system will be installed in all screens at 26 domestic theaters averaging 8 screens per theater, over the next 3 years.
The packaged rooftop air conditioner unit equipped with an air purification system featuring ‘virus washer’ technology has already been installed in 5 screens*2 at 4 Warner Mycal Cinemas theaters thus far. The ‘virus washer’ function effectively suppresses airborne bacteria*3, viruses*4, pollen*5 and odors*6 using electrolyzed water produced by decomposing tap water with an electric current. The effectivness of electrolyzed water in this capacity has been proven by testing laboratories in various locations throughout the world (please see reference material 1). This technology is also installed in SANYO’s home air purification systems and humidifiers, portable air purifiers as well as commercial-grade air purification systems. With a broad product lineup and range, SANYO provides a clean air environmental solution for a variety of scenes ranging from the bedside of sleeping babies to spacious rooms where the public often frequent.
An experiment demonstrating the effect of the packaged rooftop air conditioner unit equipped with the air purification system already installed in 5 screens of the Warner Mycal Cinemas confirms that airborne bacteria was decreased in all screen areas, with purification levels equivalent to a bioclean room (please see reference material 2). The test installment has been received favorably by theater patrons, who have made comments on the difference in the quality of air (please see reference material 3). The additional installment concluding the exclusive agreement would allow the cinemas to welcome more guests for a safe and comfortable movie experience.
Warner Mycal has always aimed at operating a ‘clean air theater’ as well as a ‘safe and comfortable theater’. With 70% of its guests visiting the theater as families, its primary mission is to offer a safe and comfortable theatrical space for all guests ranging from small children to the elderly.
SANYO, aiming to become a ‘Leading provider in environment- and energy-related products’, has developed technologies under the theme of water, air and energy. To solve problems relating to air based on the company concept of ‘washing the air with the power of water’, various products equipped with the ‘virus washer’ function suppresses airborne viruses and pollen have been developed. Now that an unprecedented high level of air cleanliness has been proved for such larges spaces as movie theaters with the cooperation of Warner, additional installments of the system has been decided.
Comment by Millard L. Och, President, Warner Mycal Corp.
“Since the opening of the first multiplex cinema in Ebina 15 years ago, we have provided customer-driven cinema operation to movie fans. I believe the installation of the Sanyo "virus washer" function along with Warner Mycal auditorium air conditioning systems is the first attempt of its kind in the world. I believe this will be a milestone event for our customers to enjoy the movies in clean and comfortable cinema environment.”
Comment by Mitsuru Honma, Executive Vice President, SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
“With SANYO’s brand vision ‘Think GAIA’, this is exactly the type of cooperation that we had envisioned—providing clean and safe air for people everywhere. With our unique ‘virus washer’ technology, we are set as a company to offer clean, pure air in spaces from large to small. This project will offer Warner Mycal a system that will help create a safe and clean theater in line with their vision, while allowing SANYO to offer an ever-expanding array of solutions to the market.”
Warner Mycal and SANYO will continue working together, actively supporting a cooperative relationship to offer an environment to satisfy customers in these large entertainment theaters.
*1 A duct type air conditioner. A central heating and air conditioning that is mainstream in the US, which uses duct to send cool or heated air outdoor.
*2 Theaters in which the virus washer already installed: Musashino mu (1 screen), Kohoku Newtown (2 screens), Takanohara (1 screen), Dainichi (1 screen). Besides these, it is installed in the lobby of Niigata and Kumagaya theaters and the corridors of Ohmiya and Dainichi theaters.
*3 Research: Kitasato Research Center of Environmental Sciences. Testing method: The number of airborne bacteria in a 1m3 test box is measured after emitting disinfectant electrolyzed mists. The result showed about 99% of the airborne bacteria was suppressed.
*4 Research: Kitasato Research Center of Environmental Sciences. Testing method: Plaque technique to measure decreased infectability of airborne bacteria in a 1m3 test box after emitting disinfectant electrolyzed mists. The result showed about 99% of the airborne bacteria was suppressed.
*5 Research on pollen: Osaka Medical College. Testing method: Enzyme antibody technique to measure decreases in pollen allergens in a 0.275 m3 test box after emitting disinfectant electrolyzed mists.
*6 Test method on cigarette odor: Removal ratio of 3 gases (acetaldehyde-modified, acetic acid and ammonia) injected into a 0.275 m3 test box after emitting disinfectant electrolyzed mists. The measurement conducted by SANYO. Harmful substances in cigarette smoke (e.g. carbon monoxide) cannot be eliminated entirely.
Test method on pet odor: Removal ratio of 4 gases (ammonia, acetic acid, trimethylamine and methylmercaptan) injected into a 0.275 m3 test box after emitting disinfectant electrolyzed mists. The measurement conducted by SANYO. Odorous components that are constantly released from architectural materials and pets cannot be eliminated
Outline of Warner Mycal Corporation
Company name: |
Warner Mycal Corporation |
Established: |
October 8, 1991 |
Representative: |
Tsutomu Kajita, Chairman & Representative Director |
Company address: |
3-8, Sanbancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo |
No. of Employees: |
Approx. 3,500 |
Capital: |
1 billion yen (as of February 29, 2008) |
Number of Theater: |
58 theaters, 472 screens (as of May, 2008) |
Business Contents: |
Multiplex operation of films, theaters, music and organization of events. |
Outline of Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
Company name: |
SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. |
Date of foundation: |
April, 1950 |
Representative: |
Seiichiro Sano, Executive Director & President |
Company address: |
2-5-5, Keihan-Hondori, Moriguchi City, Osaka |
Number of Employees: |
99,875 (Consolidated) (As of March 31, 2008) |
Capital: |
322,242 million yen (As of March 31, 2008) |
Description of business: |
Manufacture and sales of electrical machinery and apparatuses |
Press Contact (English Only)
- Warner Mycal Corporation
Public Relations
Tel: +81-3-3262-0274
SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
Global Communications Department
Tel: +81-3-6414-8621
Fax: +81-3-6414-8720
E-mail: i_press@sanyo.com
Reference Material 1
Verifications on electrolyzed water effects
Subject |
Remarks |
Institution |
|
Virus Inactivation |
Virus |
Electrolyzed Water |
・Kitasato Research Center of Environmental Sciences |
Disinfectant |
・Gunma Prefectural Institute of Public Health and Environmental Sciences |
||
Disinfectant |
Bacteria |
Electrolyzed Water |
・Food and Drug Safety Center |
Disinfectant |
・Japan Food Research Laboratories |
||
Field Bacteria |
Disinfectant |
・Kitasato Institute Medical Center Hospital. |
|
Fungus Elimination |
Fungus |
Disinfectant |
・Japan Food Research Laboratories |
Deodorization |
Tobacco odor |
Disinfectant |
Internal Assessment |
Allergen Elimination
|
Pollen |
Disinfectant |
・Osaka Medical College |
Ticks |
Electrolyzed Water |
・Japan Environmental Sanitation Center |
|
Disinfectant |
・Kobe University School of Medicine |
||
Dogs, cats |
Disinfectant |
・Oriental Yeast Co., Ltd |
|
Reference Material 2
“Cleanliness of theater screen area”
Reference material 3
“Visitors survey Results” ＊Survey conducted at Warner Mycal Cinemas (Musashino mu:) in December, 2007
Reference Material 4
List of Warner Mycal Cinemas theaters in which the air purifier system equipped with the virus washer will be installed
Installation date |
Theaters |
No. of screens |
By Aug. 31, 2008 （2 theaters） |
Ibaraki |
10 |
Minatomirai |
8 |
|
By Aug. 31, 2008 （7 theaters）
|
Kohoku |
10 |
Takanohara |
8 |
|
Dainichi |
7 |
|
Urawamisono |
11 |
|
Tsukimino |
9 |
|
Itabashi |
12 |
|
Shinyurigaoka |
9 |
|
By Aug. 31, 2010 |
（8 theaters） |
70 |
By Aug. 31, 2011 |
（8 theaters） |
67 |
By above date |
New theater （1 theater） |
9 |
|
Already installed |
5 |
Total number of theaters |
26 theaters |
235 |
* Theaters and number of screens where installation is planned after 2010 is subject to change
