Toto Slims Down Germ-Fighting Restroom Tile

TOKYO (Nikkei)--Toto Ltd. (5332) has released a new anti-bacterial porcelain tile that is 60% thinner than the previous offering while still protecting the floor around urinals in men's restrooms.

The company increased the strength of the material used, reducing the thickness from 12.5mm to 5mm without making the tile prone to breakage.

A tile 600mm wide and 797-897mm long will cost 22,785 yen, the same as before. Like the earlier product, the new tile controls growth of harmful viruses and bacteria by creating reactive oxygen when hit by light.

The thinner profile eliminates the need to install the tile somewhat sunken to avoid creating a small step up from the surrounding floor. This will make it easier to propose use in remodeling restrooms of hospitals and elder care facilities.

Toto hopes to boost sales of all anti-bacterial tiles, including wall tiles, to 300,000 sq. meters in fiscal 2014 -- four times the projected sales volume for fiscal 2012.

(The Nikkei Business Daily, March 5 edition)

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