Nichia's High-power 280nm UV LED Has Been Chosen by Shikoku Kakoki Co., Ltd. for Their Food and Beverage Filling Machines

May. 14, 2025

Tokushima, Japan – 14 May 2025: Nichia, the world's largest LED manufacturer and inventor of the high-brightness blue and white LED, is pleased to announce that a UV-C LED disinfection device manufactured by Mutoh Industries Ltd., equipped with Nichia's high-power 280nm UV LED (Part No. NCSU434D), has been adopted for the food and beverage filling machines of Shikoku Kakoki Co., Ltd.

In food factories, cups to be filled with food, and films and caps for sealing, have been disinfected mainly with UV mercury lamps in order to prevent contamination from bacteria. However, due to concerns about health hazards and environmental pollution, there is a growing global regulation against products that use mercury. Despite this, it was thought that there were no alternative technologies to mercury lamps for UV disinfection applications, and their use has continued to be allowed.

With the recent technological advancement in UV LEDs and the development of devices that leverage the characteristics of LEDs, it has now become possible to safely disinfect food containers in an environmentally-friendly manner without the use of mercury.

UV-C LED Disinfection Device and the Irradiation Image on a Cup

By focusing on the development of UV LEDs with enhanced performance, Nichia will continue to make efforts to solve social issues such as the realization of a mercury-free and carbon neutral society.

The UV-C LED disinfection device is scheduled to be displayed at the Shikoku Kakoki's booth during “FOOMA JAPAN 2025,” which will be held at Tokyo Big Sight from June 10th to 13th.