Welcome

Well…it’s been quite a year! But as we move into 2021, there is at least some renewed hope on the horizon and a gradual return to normality. Of course, every situation throws up opportunity, and news this month that Malaysia-based Yi-Lai Bhd has developed an antiviral tile is a clear indication of innovation in the face of crisis.

According to the company’s executive director, Mr Au Yee Boon, “We are pleased to announce that following our official launch of Talos Living Tiles — Malaysia’s first negative ion tiles to improve indoor air quality, our Group has gone one step further by now offering the country’s first tile with antivirus surfaces.”

Notably, it has been demonstrated that Yi-Lai’s much-anticipated antivirus tiles could effectively eliminate contagious viruses, with various tests being performed on the H1N1 influenza A viruses have shown a very desirable antivirus activity rate.

According to the analysis and test results by Guangdong Detection Center of Microbiology (Gmicro), an independent product testing and certification company based in China, the infectivity titre value has dropped significantly after contacting with Yi-Lai’s antivirus tiles.

As it is, sample and test specimen have also been sent to Germany for further laboratory tests, which will be carried out by HygCen Germany GmbH, an accredited and internationally renowned testing lab for hygiene and biocidal activity. Mr Au expects antivirus tiles to become the next major trend in the property industry for the coming years.

“As people become more health conscious and mindful about their safety and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, we foresee that there will be a huge demand for antivirus tiles in Malaysia in the next few years,” he comments.

Mr Au also highlights that antivirus tiles are already gaining traction in many European countries such as Italy, Spain and Austria, as these products can be found in not just residential property, but also hospital and pharmacy, gym and fitness centre, as well as restaurants and commercial property.
 
Considering that antivirus tiles are materials that could provide enormous health and hygiene benefits, Mr Au believes that the developers, designers, contractors and house owners will make a more forward-looking choices for their buildings.
 
“Antivirus tiles will be a big selling point for the Malaysian property developers in the future, because every home buyer would want to own a house with residential tiles that are able to destroy all types of harmful bacteria and insidious viruses in an absolutely natural way,” he predicts.

Given the anticipated huge market demand, Mr Au points out that Yi-Lai is ready to realign its production lines and resources to mass produce big format antivirus tiles.

“Antivirus tile is going to be one of the most important key product segments for our Group. In terms of volume, it may not be as high as our existing product offerings. But in terms of value, we expect a very significant contribution because antivirus tile is a premium product which could give us fairly attractive profit margin,” he concludes.

Manufacturing facility – 141,000 sq metres 7 production lines with a capacity of 11,000,000 sq. metres of ceramic, homogeneous and porcelain tiles annually.

The Company’s products are primarily marketed across Malaysia and Singapore, and the operations are supported by two showroom and marketing centers in Kulai (Johor) and Petaling Jaya (Selangor) as well as four product centers located in Ipoh (Perak), Melaka, Butterworth (Penang) and Singapore. The staff strength of around 600 dedicated and loyal employees.

Happy New Year…let’s hope so!