CHICAGO — Steel with coatings containing AgION™, a silver ion-based compound that is designed to suppress the growth of bacteria, molds, mildew, fungi and other microbes, will be used in the production of some of Carrier Corporation’s air-handling units, according to the company.

The move comes as part of a new relationship with AK Coatings Inc., which was announced during an event hosted for more than 800 Carrier customers attending the 2003 Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition (AHR Expo) in Chicago.

Carrier’s 39M Aero™ air-handling units and Racan-Carrier custom air-handling systems will be available with AK Coating’s AgION antimicrobial-coated steel as an integrated material for its prepainted steel inner liners. Carrier said that production of the new antimicrobial-coated Racan-Carrier units will begin immediately.

The company also said that the first antimicrobial-coated 39M Aero units will be produced in March 2003.

“Recently, public awareness of mold, mildew, and other microbes has increased, particularly in the education and healthcare sectors, as the general public has learned that heat and humidity allow these elements to infiltrate their buildings,” said Todd Bluedorn, Carrier’s North America Commercial president.

“We’re proud to offer the AgION antimicrobial compound on our air-handling units to our customers,” he said.

Publication date: 02/10/2003