About Us

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 We are a University Bio-Tech startup company established in 2019 in Hong Kong by Prof. Pauline Li (Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology) and Mr. Tenny Lam (Doctor of Business Administration candidate) from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. 

The company is funded by HKx Technology Fund and incubated by Hong Kong Science and Technology Park (HKSTP) Incu-Tech and Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HK PolyU) InnoHub. It focuses on biomaterials-based coating applications to provide greener and safer materials for a sustainable environment. The technology based on our patented core-shell particle technology platform InnoCoatex™, enables a new class of amphiphilic core-shell particles for a wide range of applications such as antimicrobial coating.

 "Where Innovation Meets Applications" 

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, people are more concerned about environmental hygiene than ever.  Most of us still remember vividly how the hoarders snatched up bleach, alcohol, and hand sanitiser.  Disinfectants effectively kill pathogens like coronaviruses, but high-touch surfaces, such as elevator buttons and handrails, need frequent re-application to be free of germs.  Moreover, certain disinfectants may irritate to human skin, while others may pose health risks upon prolonged exposure.  Toxic chemicals may also leash and get into our ecosystem, contaminating water and other resources.  

In light of this, scientists and researchers have been looking for a solution with a long-lasting antimicrobial effect on various surfaces, while being safe for humans and the environment.  We develop CareCoatex antimicrobial coating, a non-toxic and eco-friendly spray that kills 99% of common bacteria and viruses, with long-lasting action of up to 6 months.  

As early as 2003, our chief scientist,  Prof. Li,  was granted a patent on her groundbreaking core-shell particle technology, which can be a perfect solution for creating a safer and long-lasting antimicrobial coating.  Traditionally, Core-shell particles have two layers which usually have similar chemical properties, either water-based or oil-based. “My technology was revolutionary because I managed to combine two incompatible layers in one particle, so that the end product is amphiphilic – having both water- and oil-based components,” explained by Prof. Li.  Her unique core-shell particle can be made up of an oil-based core and a water-based outer shell.  After the spray is applied, water evaporates and the oil-based cores would fuse together forming a durable coating.

Unlike traditional core-shell particles  made from monomers, Prof. Li’s technology allows the use of polymers, such as natural biopolymers, as starting materials.  “I believe using natural antimicrobial biomaterials would be the safest option for humans and the environment, and my core-shell technology makes it possible.  I modified food-grade chitosan from crustacean shells and encapsulated thymol from the culinary herb thyme to further boost their natural antimicrobial properties.”  

Chitosan forms the outer shells of the particles in CareCoatex ™  spray and creates a positively charged water-based layer over the oil-based film-forming cores.  Negatively charged pathogens will interact electrostatically with the chitosan-thymol-based particles and get killed. Experiments show that it kills 99% of common bacteria and viruses.  “The coating offers not only contact killing, but also time-release action for as long as 6 months.  Besides high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, elevator buttons, and medical devices, it can be sprayed on fabric and clothing items, or even used in antiseptic wipes.”