In recent years, the number of household appliances, housing equipment and industrial cleaning equipment products that advertise built-in fine bubbles (ultrafine bubbles and microbubbles) has grown rapidly.
While the market is expanding, product planning, development and quality assurance managers at manufacturers often voice concerns such as, “How can we prove the performance and effects of the bubbles when we introduce them into our products?” and “Will choosing a poor-quality bubble generator damage our brand image?” The organization that supports the reliability of this technology and the soundness of the market is the Fine Bubble Industries Association (FBIA).
This article explains the role of the FBIA and key points for creating reliable products that manufacturers should keep in mind when entering the fine bubble business and developing products.
What Is the Fine Bubble Industries Association (FBIA)?
The Fine Bubble Industries Association (FBIA) is an industry association established to build a sound market for fine bubbles, an innovative technology from Japan, and to foster the industry. Its main roles can be summarized in the following three points.
| Role | Specific activities |
|---|---|
| Promoting international standardization (ISO) | Working with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and other bodies, it leads the world in developing standards for bubble definitions, measurement methods and safety |
| Operating registration and certification systems | It rigorously reviews and certifies whether the generation performance and effects of products and services comply with international (ISO) standards |
| Keeping the market sound and protecting consumers | It maintains the reliability of the market as a whole by eliminating unfounded, misleading claims and low-performance products |
Many companies, including major manufacturers, participate in the FBIA, and “products and components from FBIA member companies” has now become a standard benchmark of reliability.
Why Manufacturers Should Choose Products and Components from FBIA Member Companies
To add fine bubble functionality to your products and gain an advantage in the market, it is not enough for the product to simply produce bubbles; scientific evidence and objective proof are essential. Designing for compliance with FBIA standards brings manufacturers the following benefits.
Lower Quality Assurance Risk
Because bubble generation (number and size) is proven with objective measurement methods, the risk of exaggerated advertising can be prevented before it arises.
Greater Brand Value and Sales Appeal
By promoting the effects of fine bubbles based on scientific evidence, you can set your products apart from competitors while offering end users a product they can trust.
Choosing the Right Integrated Component (OEM) Is the First Step to Trust
When integrating a fine bubble generator (a nozzle or module) into your products, it is extremely important that the component itself is designed and manufactured to meet the FBIA’s measurement standards and measurement environment.
Adopting a core component with an unclear fluid design can lead to problems during product development and costly rework.
Summary: A Partnership Built on Reliable Technical Standards
Fine bubble technology delivers its true value (cleaning power, water savings and enhanced functionality) only when it is used in line with appropriate standards and criteria.
Shibata Co., Ltd. understands the international standards and appropriate measurement criteria promoted by the Fine Bubble Industries Association (FBIA), and develops and supplies bubble generating nozzles and modules based on advanced fluid control technology.
- Integration design support for appliances, faucets and cleaning machines
- Proposals for fine bubble generating nozzles that optimize flow rate and water pressure
- Consultation on evidence-based performance evaluation
If you are in development or planning and want to integrate fine bubble functionality backed by proven technology into your products, or are looking for a reliable core component manufacturer, please feel free to contact Shibata Co., Ltd.
About the Author
Nakamura, Fine Bubble Division, Shibata Co., Ltd.