ADDITIVES | BIOCIDES Surface protection
Above: Contour’s shower trays for shared usage applica- tions incorpo- rate Biomaster antibacterial technology
“To date, two Inter-laboratory Studies (ILS) have been performed by the seven members of the working group and, based on results, several issues were raised and addressed,” reports Prioli. “The two primary concerns were the differences in pigment tone (ranging from pink to brown) and the number of colonies in the inoculum. These differences can result in a pass or fail interpretation by the analyst. The participating labs have investi- gated and addressed the possible causes and the method is now ready for a third ILS, which will be completed in the upcoming months.” Prioli explains that results will be collected and
evaluated by ASTM, which will provide statistical analysis and determination of precision and bias statements. “Once development of the new method is concluded, it will be submitted for ballot by all the members of ASTM Committee E35 on Pesticides, Antimicrobials, and Alternative Control Agents. It is expected that the method will be approved by the end of 2018 under the name of Standard Test Method for Evaluating the Performance of Antimi- crobials in or on Polymeric Porous and Non-Porous Materials Against Staining by Streptomyces Species (A Pink Stain Organism),” she says.
While consumers may not be aware of the biocides that are used to keep plastics from discoloring and degrading, they are becoming increasingly aware of antimicrobial additives that are marketed for their ability to keep surfaces clean and sanitary, and this awareness is driving demand for antimicrobi- als. “Consumers are now understanding what an antimicrobial actually is,” says Paul Morris, founder and CEO of UK-based masterbatch supplier Addmaster. “We now see most clients contacting us, having seen Biomaster in others’ products and wanting to understand how they can be a partner and use the brand to add value to their product. The more products that contain antimicrobials are in the market, the more it drives demand.” Consumers are being informed through social media and the internet. Promoting accurate information is crucial, according to Morris. He says that last year, Addmaster supported Aston Univer- sity’s Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) educational programme to educate the public on how im- proved hygiene using antimicrobial-containing plastics would impact on reducing the usage of antibiotics. “This year we are working with Royal Society of Public Health to educate the public on what good and bad bacteria are and how the human body’s natural biome can be damaged by exposure to pathogens,” he says. Microban also sees strong consumer interest in
microbial protection and awareness of associated risks. “Top issues in the consumers’ awareness include food contamination due to microbes (E. coli and Listeria, for example), ease of spread of colds and flus, and general health issues such as getting sick from dirty public places or inadequate- ly washed hands,” says Ivan Ong, vice-president of R&D at the company. “There is demand for innova- tive materials that are able to reduce the growth of microbes on their surfaces as a measure, among others, such as good cleaning practices, to keep an
PHOTO: CONTOUR SHOWERS
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