A quick stop in Liguria provided the opportunity to chat with Stefano Salvi about a topic particularly close to his heart: how to prevent mask fogging.

"With the advent of silicone skirts, the problem has become much more significant. We're talking about a particularly frustrating issue, one capable of ruining an otherwise perfect day at sea. That's why, at Salvimar, we set out to find a solution."

And what did you do?

"First of all, this is an old problem, yet nobody had ever addressed it by working directly on the lens itself. Available solutions had always been external to the product, temporary, and inconvenient. We asked ourselves: why not solve the problem at its root by modifying the properties of the glass itself? That's where everything started, and that's how our Anti-Fog technology was born."

Technically, what does it involve?

"The principle is based on superhydrophilicity. Fogging occurs when water vapor condenses on the lens, forming microscopic spherical droplets that create irregular light refraction due to their geometry. Our solution was to apply a nanotechnology treatment that makes the lens surface superhydrophilic, with a water contact angle of less than 5 degrees. Under these conditions, the micro-droplets spontaneously flatten and form a uniform film through which light passes without abnormal refraction. The treatment consists of a nano-layer between 20 and 60 nanometers thick, with light transmittance exceeding 99%, chemically bonded to the glass through stable molecular bonds. In optical terms, it's as if it isn't even there. To activate it, simply wet the lenses before putting on the mask."

How much testing did you carry out?

"A great deal, spread across several phases. The process was not straightforward. Initially, we focused on modifying the lens surface finish, achieving decent but still unsatisfactory results. The breakthrough came when we involved researchers from a university Physics Department—former colleagues of a member of our R&D team—who introduced us to a completely different perspective. From that point, testing multiplied: laboratory trials, industrial process development, and open-water testing with divers under real conditions. The industrialization phase alone took several months. We were unwilling to compromise: the result had to be effective, scalable, and simple for the end user."

Tell me about performance. Does it work in all situations, and does it maintain its effectiveness over time?

"Performance is extremely high under all typical diving conditions. Ease of activation—simply wetting the lenses and wearing the mask—is one of its key strengths: no preparation and no additional products are required. This is a permanent treatment, not a consumable coating. Its longevity depends on proper care. Thanks to the chemical bonds anchoring it to the glass, it is resistant to abrasion and washing, but it should still be handled carefully."

What do you recommend users do to preserve the treatment over time?

"Treat the mask with the same care you would give a precision optical instrument. Avoid abrasive products and aggressive detergents, and rinse it with fresh water after every dive. Before each use, wet the lenses: that simple action activates the anti-fog effect by allowing a thin water layer to form on the surface. It's simple, but crucial. The longevity of the treatment depends largely on user behavior, which is why we have invested heavily in communicating these guidelines."

How many mask models in your catalog feature Anti-Fog technology?

"Around 40 SKUs, making it the largest anti-fog mask collection currently available on the market. This is significant because it means we have integrated the technology across our entire product range, not just on a flagship model. From freedivers to scuba divers, from beginners to professionals, we want anti-fog technology to be accessible to everyone."

Before Salvimar, how did divers deal with the problem?

"Experienced divers had their own methods and simply lived with it. Less experienced divers often didn't even know how to address it. In both cases, fogging was accepted as a structural limitation of the product. Nobody had ever considered acting directly on the physical properties of the glass itself. That was our starting point."

Why hadn't anyone thought of this before?

"I've asked myself the same question. I believe that in mature industries, certain problems become so ingrained that they are simply taken for granted. People get used to living with them rather than questioning them. The industry had always responded with external solutions that were only partially effective. We had the curiosity—and perhaps a bit of courage—to ask whether it was possible to solve the problem permanently by working directly on the glass. The answer was yes, but it required expertise beyond traditional product design, extending into materials physics. That is where collaboration with the academic research community made all the difference."

What did collaborating with a university Physics Department mean for the project?

"It was one of the most important decisions we made. Our R&D team knows the diving world inside out, but to tackle a problem involving surface physics and nanotechnology, we needed partners with a different scientific background. The connection came through a team member who already had ties with those researchers. That collaboration ultimately led us to the solution we later industrialized."

How has the market reacted to the launch?

"I'd say beyond expectations. Interest has come from every segment, from highly technical divers who immediately understood the significance of the innovation to complete beginners. It was this latter group that surprised us the most. New divers know the fogging problem all too well—in fact, they encounter it more frequently than experienced divers because they lack the tools and knowledge to manage it. The result is that many end up with a ruined snorkeling or diving session without knowing how to fix it. With our technology, that doesn't happen: wetting the lenses is all that's required. Competitors are now trying to catch up, and the fastest among them are already introducing their first models. But we were the first to conceive the idea, implement it, and bring it to market. That is a fact that remains."

Do you already have future upgrades in mind?

"Research never stops. We've opened a path with plenty more to explore, both in optimizing the current treatment and in evaluating future technological developments. I prefer not to reveal too much, but the objective remains the same: to provide divers with a mask that never makes them think about fogging."

Is demand for Anti-Fog technology growing? How does Italy compare with international markets?

"Growth is steady and significant. What stands out is that interest is consistent everywhere: Italy, Europe, and overseas markets. There is no geographical boundary to the problem—fogging is a universal experience, and the solution is equally universal. Anti-fog technology is becoming a new market standard, much like many innovations that we now take for granted. Salvimar has had the privilege—and the responsibility—of being the first company to introduce it to the diving industry."