Product design specialist Glouv Labs has joined forces with travel retail agency Blue and Danish distributor BORN Nordic to launch a portable face mask sanitiser.
The compact Glouv device is claimed to kill up to 99.9% of bacteria and viruses. It disinfects in ten minutes and can be charged via any laptop or USB connection. The device doubles as a sanitiser for any other germ-ridden essentials – such as smartphone and keys – that fit into the case.
Glouv sanisters will be available in selected travel retail markets from Q3 this year. Glouv Lite has a recommended retail price (RRP) of between €119.99 and €129.99. A Glouv Cell for smartphones will also be available.
Amsterdam-based Glouv Labs was founded in October 2020 by former gategroup Innovation Manager Per Roseth and Alex Jurtan as a product design company focused on wellbeing through innovation. Their aim was to minimise any environmental impacts of face masks by making them safe for multiple usage. Glouv insists it is “not capitalising on the pandemic, but rather offering meaningful, customer-driven solutions that make people feel more at ease to go about their day”. |
According to Blue, the Glouv sanitiser targets two key issues related to the use of face masks: safer reuse and environmental impact. The company pointed out that up to 130 billion face masks are used every month. An estimated 75% end up in landfill or in the oceans.
Blue also noted that the UV phone sanitiser market is projected to more than triple in size to US$366 million by 2026 from US$100 million in 2019.
Glouv Labs Founder Per Roseth said: “We are experiencing a societal shift that will reshape how we live, work and travel. When taking into account that a bacteria culture doubles every 20 min, sanitisation procedures are becoming less of a ‘nice to have’ and more of a necessity.
“Coming up with innovative ways to safely go about your day, germ free and worry free, is therefore critical.
“The majority of single-use masks are not even recyclable. Sanitising the ones you use is therefore becoming a necessity to both extend their reuse, and to reduce their environmental impact,” Roseth added.
With teams based in New York, Stockholm and Copenhagen, Blue will handle Glouv sales and distribution strategy across ecommerce, domestic and travel retail channels.
Blue Co-owner Thomas Kaneko Henningsen commented: “The market is highly responsive to products that address tangible problems. Up to 15% of the population will be very sensitive to germs long-term due to the COVID-19 pandemic according to a recent BBC report, and pragmatic solutions like Glouv will help enable people to stay safe so everyone can feel comfortable travelling again.”
M1nd-set Travel Retail Director Clara added: “Travellers have become increasingly conscious of the importance of health and safety on their journey. The majority express concerns over the hygiene of different elements of the inflight experience, from the seat and inflight entertainment system to the food & beverages served.”
BORN Nordic CEO Jacob Oppenheim said: “We actively search for extraordinary consumer tech like Glouv. The concept truly stands out because of its disinfection capability, beautiful design and great value for money.
“We are targeting Scandinavia tech consumers with Glouv and we will also be distributing the brand in travel retail by engaging retailers in airports, cruise ships and inflight.”
Blue Co-owner Karl Walter commented: “We want to contribute towards making the world a better place and we are already known for teaming up with companies that are committed to making a difference.
“Our partnership with Glouv is no exception. Its products will make a real impact on safety and on the environment. We are keen to be part of that journey and we will actively drive it.”
