In Puy-de-Dôme, retired farmer Roland Garde has created a natural disinfectant that effectively eliminates the coronavirus. Initially designed for farm hygiene, this innovation shows strong potential amid the ongoing pandemic. Could it become a sustainable alternative to hydroalcoholic gels?
Described as a "natural and ecological disinfectant" in a July 27, 2020, La Montagne article, Roland Garde's invention from Condat-en-Combraille (Puy-de-Dôme) has gained local traction. His autonomous Aqua-Combrailles machine generates a biocidal liquid using water, salt tablets, and an electrolysis system.
The resulting neutral anolyte is highly effective—biocidal, sporicidal, fungicidal, and germicidal. Garde notes it can be sprayed on hands and any surface without scrubbing, leaving no harmful residues.
Conceived in 2018 to enhance farm facility disinfection, the product drew interest from fellow farmers for its cost-effectiveness, ease of use, and eco-friendliness. Post-deconfinement demand surged regionally, with France Info reporting it eradicates coronavirus in just 30 seconds per lab tests.
Orders have come from nursing homes, schools, cinemas, police stations, and medical offices. Unlike alcohol-based gels, which can strip skin's protective barrier and kill beneficial bacteria, this solution is gentler.
Future scalability could integrate it with decontamination robots and drones. Hand washing and surface disinfection remain key to curbing COVID-19, with global cases at 26 million and over 860,000 deaths as of reporting.
See the France Info report below:
