ADDITIVES | ANTIMICROBIALS
areas for those biocides that are food-contact approved in the relevant geographic region. Sean Reid, Managing Director at BioCote in the UK says the food and beverage industry widely accepts the benefits of antimicrobial technology. That view is supported by Jonathan Goff,
Above: Reusable
shopping bags can benefit from
antimicrobial linings
cites a study by Aston University in the UK that found reusable coffee cups using Biomaster antimicrobial technology had reduced residual levels of bacteria on the lid and internal cup surfaces compared to cups without the additive. Reusable plastic goods in a wide range of areas,
from cutlery to plastic transit pallets, use SteriTouch antimicrobial additives to reduce contamination risk. UK-based SteriTouch, which was established in 2003 with a focus on antimicrobials, has since expanded into other functional additives and the company has recently been renamed Radical Materials. The SteriTouch antimicrobial brand continues to be a key part of the company’s portfolio.
Other factors likely to fuel demand for anti-
microbial additives include a move to bio-based plastics, some of which present a more favourable environment for bacterial growth. “Increased use of greener materials and bioplastics, such as those derived from soybeans, corn, flax, and other materials will also play an important demand for antimicrobials,” says Maria Regina Prioli, Senior Marketing Manager for Materials Performance & Protection at Lonza. And increasing consumer concern over
Right: The HyTensil
cutlery set from Bower & Wood uses a SteriTouch silver-based antimicrobial additive
embedded in the PP cutlery and case
cleanliness of public areas, such as airplane interiors and hospitals, is also driving demand for antimicrobials, says Mark Juve, Business Director of Extrusion at Americhem, which supplies nShield antimicrobial masterbatches.
Automotive potential For the future, automotive interiors may present a space for potential antimicrobial use. “As we move towards ride and car sharing, these environments can become significantly unhygienic without constant cleaning and the use of antimicrobials will benefit these vehicles,” says Ivan Ong, Vice President of R&D at Microban. Other growing uses for antimicrobials include all
kinds of consumer products, especially babies’ and children’s toys, personal care items and appliances. Water filtration, ice-makers and food-preparation (either consumer or commercial) are also important
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Vice-President of R&D at Gelest. “Food processing equipment, conveyor belts, preparation surfaces, packaging materials, as well as food and beverage tubing are all … an area of strong interest for antimicrobials,” he says. The company’s Biosafe HM4100 Antimicrobial is compliant with US FDA regulations and certified by NSF for use in food- contact articles.
Some companies are considering antimicrobials in food packaging as a solution to extending the shelf-life of food, potentially as an alternative to conventional food preservatives, according to Tom Ellefsen, Chief Executive of Thailand-based Life Materials Technologies. “LIFE DJ/AM-00-1A is an additive registered for use in in food contact plastics in China, the US, South America, and Europe. In addition to antimicrobial effect from zinc and silver ions, LIFE DJ/AM-00-1A also has a potent adsorbent effect; this dual activity has proven particularly effective in several food packaging applications. To date, LIFE DJ/AM-00-1A has delivered significant shelf life extension in both polyethylene milk bottles and polyethylene bakery packaging,” he says. Life Materials Technologies products are distributed in Europe by Velox.
Recycling issues Suppliers note that customers frequently ask whether antimicrobials impact the recyclability of a product. Microban’s Ivan Ong says there is no cause for concern in that quarter. “Antimicrobials are added at very low levels in plastics and protect their host materials in an effective way that does
PHOTO: ADDMASTER
PHOTO: RADICAL MATERIALS
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