Kerala start-up Allabout Innovation's virus neutraliser makes waves

The start-up's clients include BP Plc, DP World, UFO Movies, Indian Oil Corporation, Indian Airforce, and presidential palace in UAE

‘Cinema jaana safe hai?’ (Is it safe to visit the theatres?)

A PVR Cinemas advertisement starring Salman Khan asking the above question, urging viewers to return to theatres, might have captured the attention of many in November. In the advertisement, Khan is saying that PVR is “the first cinema in the world that has installed a virus neutralizer technology that kills any virus present on-air.” 

After becoming a success in 846 PVR screens across the country partnering with UFO Moviez, the virus neutraliser technology by Kerala-based start-up Allabout Innovation (AAI) is creating waves across about 22 countries. Its elite league of clients include BP Plc, DP World, UFO Movies, Indian Oil Corporation, Indian Airforce, Abu Dhabi Roads and transport authority, Etisalat Telecom and even the Presidential Palace in UAE. 

The company is in talks with the Karnataka health ministry to install about 10,000 AAI machines, also known as Wolf AirMasks, in all government hospitals. This is within a span of 14 months since the company got incorporated in August 2020. 

“We started the venture with a mere Rs 2 crore last year. Now, we are poised to clock a business of about Rs 100 crore by the end of this fiscal year. We are targeting a sales of about 500,000 units by December 2022 with a price range between Rs 30,000 and Rs 1 lakh per unit depending on the country in which the product is being sold,” said Sujesh Sugunan, CEO, Allabout Innovations.

Starting with a humble beginning at SIDCO Industrial Estate in Cherthala, the company has so far sold 8,000 units globally has already received orders for 120,000 units for the next three months, including 90,000 overseas ones. With rise in sales, it is in talks to come up with manufacturing units in UAE, Qatar and Karnataka.

What is Wolf Airmask?

According to the company, Wolf Airmask has got a certification from Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (recognised by ICMR) in Thiruvananthapuram that stated that it can neutralise 99.9 per cent of Covid virus in the air and surfaces within 15 minutes. The technology is claimed to be capable to eliminate bacteria, viruses and microbes through negative ION Generation. Wolf Airmask discharges negative ions that will bind with the surface protein or spike protein of all the viruses and microbes present in the air and neutralise it.

“Initially, we installed the product on a trial basis on ATMs in some parts of Kerala. When we found it successful, commercial production kicked off. For us, the tie-up with UFO Movies and PVR was a turning point as a large section of the global clients can easily identify themselves to these brands and also the advertisement starring Salman Khan,” Sugunan said. He said one machine can cover about 1,000 square feet and in PVR theatres alone, about 4,000 machines are supplied so far.