As the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continues, more and more companies are jumping into the construction of negative pressure rooms. They are actively using the technology they have in their main business to challenge a new food business called negative pressure rooms. A negative pressure room is a facility that prevents viruses in the air from leaving the room by creating a difference in air pressure.

According to related industries on the 8th, semiconductor equipment company Shinseong ENG signed a strategic alliance agreement with Kolon Modulus on the 4th to develop, manufacture, and sell modular sound pressure rooms and screening clinics. Shinseong ENG provides a system that controls airflow and supplies cooling and heating inside the hospital room using its own positive and negative pressure devices. Kolon Modulus is in charge of designing, constructing, and manufacturing products based on a number of modular construction experiences. In June, Shinseong ENG also installed a smart screening clinic (negative pressure room, photo) at Samsung Medical Center. An official from the company said, "We installed a negative pressure room by applying the clean room technology that goes into the existing semiconductor factory."

Kolon Global, which has businesses such as construction and trade, is also investing in negative pressure rooms. Since last month, its subsidiary Kolon Modulus has been building a 30-bed modular negative pressure ward at the National Medical Center. "The medical center ward will be completed at the end of this month," a company official said. "We plan to increase supply in line with the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic."

GH New Materials, which produces automotive nonwoven fabrics, and Ujeong Bio, a new drug developer, have also started a project to build negative pressure rooms. E-Soltec has also recently developed a mobile non-face-to-face screening clinic in partnership with Kcc Glass' interior brand HomeCC and contractor. It will be delivered to Ulju Health Center and Changwon Health Center in South Gyeongsang Province.

Analysts say that companies are working on different sound pressure rooms and related product businesses from their main jobs as part of their efforts to find a breakthrough with new businesses in the era of COVID-19. Currently, there is no performance standard for sound pressure machines distributed in Korea, so it is considered a challenge that the efficiency of removing pollutants, power consumption, and noise are different.

Reporter Kim Dong Hyun 3code@hankyung.com