Working student Leon Rottmann and Obladen (right) stand at the mechanic's workshop of the Startup UVIS UV-Innovative Solutions in Cologne, western Germany, on April 22, 2020, amid the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. The Startup UVIS UV-Innovative Solutions of Obladen and Tanja Nickel developed a chemical-free disinfection for the handrails of escalators and surfaces. A module continuously irradiates them with UV light as they pass through. The rays in the UV-C spectrum kill bacteria, moulds and viruses. — AFP
COLOGNE, Germany: Tanja Nickel and Katharina Obladen were still in high school when they patented an idea to disinfect escalator handrails using UV light.
A decade later, their small German startup UVIS can barely keep up with orders from around the world for their coronavirus-killing escalators and coatings for supermarket trolleys and elevator buttons.
Already a subscriber? Log in.
Get 30% off with our ads free Premium Plan!
Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Working student Leon Rottmann and Obladen (right) stand at the mechanic's workshop of the Startup UVIS UV-Innovative Solutions in Cologne, western Germany, on April 22, 2020, amid the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. The Startup UVIS UV-Innovative Solutions of Obladen and Tanja Nickel developed a chemical-free disinfection for the handrails of escalators and surfaces. A module continuously irradiates them with UV light as they pass through. The rays in the UV-C spectrum kill bacteria, moulds and viruses. — AFP
Katharina Obladen tests a light module at the mechanic's workshop of the Startup UVIS UV-Innovative Solutions in Cologne, western Germany, on April 22, 2020, amid the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. — AFP
Katharina Obladen tests a module at the mechanic's workshop of the Startup UVIS UV-Innovative Solutions in Cologne, western Germany, on April 22, 2020, amid the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. — AFP
Working student Leon Rottmann tests a module at the mechanic's workshop of the Startup UVIS UV-Innovative Solutions in Cologne, western Germany, on April 22, 2020, amid the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. — AFP
Working student Leon Rottmann and Katharina Obladen (L) test a module at the mechanic's workshop of the Startup UVIS UV-Innovative Solutions in Cologne, western Germany, on April 22, 2020, amid the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. — AFP
Working student Leon Rottmann tests a module at the mechanic's workshop of the Startup UVIS UV-Innovative Solutions in Cologne, western Germany, on April 22, 2020, amid the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. — AFP
Working student Leon Rottmann solders an electronic part at the mechanic's workshop of the Startup UVIS UV-Innovative Solutions in Cologne, western Germany, on April 22, 2020, amid the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. — AFP
Working student Leon Rottmann coats a shopping trolley for disinfection at the mechanic's workshop of the Startup UVIS UV-Innovative Solutions in Cologne, western Germany, on April 22, 2020, amid the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. — AFP
A sticker 'aseptic surface' is seen at a bottle at the mechanic's workshop of the Startup UVIS UV-Innovative Solutions in Cologne, western Germany, on April 22, 2020, amid the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. — AFP
Working student Leon Rottmann tests a module at the mechanic's workshop of the Startup UVIS UV-Innovative Solutions in Cologne, western Germany, on April 22, 2020, amid the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. — AFP
Katharina Obladen tests a light module at the mechanic's workshop of the Startup UVIS UV-Innovative Solutions in Cologne, western Germany, on April 22, 2020, amid the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. — AFP
Working student Leon Rottmann cleans a shopping trolley for disinfection at the mechanic's workshop of the Startup UVIS UV-Innovative Solutions in Cologne, western Germany, on April 22, 2020, amid the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. — AFP
Katharina Obladen tests a light module at the mechanic’s workshop of the Startup UVIS UV-Innovative Solutions in Cologne, western Germany, on April 22, 2020, amid the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. — AFP
Working student Leon Rottmann coats a shopping trolley for disinfection at the mechanic's workshop of the Startup UVIS UV-Innovative Solutions in Cologne, western Germany, on April 22, 2020, amid the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. — AFP
Working student Leon Rottmann coats a shopping trolley for disinfection at the mechanic's workshop of the Startup UVIS UV-Innovative Solutions in Cologne, western Germany, on April 22, 2020, amid the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. — AFP
A working student coats a shopping trolley for disinfection at the mechanic's workshop of the Startup UVIS UV-Innovative Solutions in Cologne, western Germany, amid the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. — AFP
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
