Coca-Cola Japan to add virus-resistant coating to 30,000 vending machines

Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Inc. said on JUN 11 that it will make some 30,000 of its about 700,000 vending machines resistant to virus and bacteria in response to growing hygiene awareness among the public amid the new coronavirus crisis.

Beginning this week, product selection buttons and dispensing slots of the 30,000 vending machines located at such public spaces as hospitals and train stations across the country will be covered with antiviral and antibacterial film coatings. As the coatings have strong antiviral and antibacterial properties, they can be effective against the new coronavirus, according to the company.The film coatings will be replaced with new ones every six months.
In the beverage industry, Ito En Ltd. started using antibacterial coatings that utilize used tea leaves on some 30,000 vending machines across the country starting June.