lative cost per kg of treating PET fibers with al Ag+ technology vs. HyProTecht XT
ost/kg in
masterbatches that use conventional silver-based antimicrobials, such as silver zinc zeolite and silver phosphate glass, yet deliver radical improvements in transparency and colour, and are offered at half the cost of competing silver-based technologies,” says Tom Ellefsen, HeiQ Life CEO. The HyProTecht line of EPA and BPR-compliant
Conventional Ag+ technology
HyProTecht XT
silver-based antimicrobial masterbatches can be used in a range of polymers including PC, PET, PA, ABS, PP, PE, EVA, TPU and other thermoplastic elastomers. Products with food-contact compliance are available. Life Natural is a new product family of botanical antibacterial additives for controlling bacterial growth on plastic surfaces using the active sub- stance peppermint oil, which is approved on Annex I of the BPR for use in all product types. The additives were previously marketed by Life Material Technologies, which was acquired by HeiQ in 2021. “The HeiQ Life Natural range was initially
restricted to lower processing temperature polymers, such as PE, PP, EVA, PVC and TPEs, but HeiQ is now also launching a new temperature stabilised peppermint oil-based range of products for extrusion of PA, PET and PP fibres. This new peppermint oil-based innovation delivers potent antibacterial activity to polyester, polypropylene and nylon fibers that is durable through 100 home launderings,” says Ellefsen. The peppermint oil-based antimicrobial prod-
Below: PP fibre spools produced using CupronColor antimicrobial colorants from Techmer PM
ucts from the HeiQ Life Natural range are also useful for bio-based polymers. “[Some] bio-based polymers are more prone to microbial attack, but manufacturers are understandably hesitant to use conventional synthetic or metal-based biocides in their green materials,” Ellefsen says. During 2021, HeiQ also acquired Germany’s RAS and its silver technology for compounds. And in January 2023 it acquired UK intellectual property company Tarn-Pure and its EU and UK registrations, allowing it to sell metallic copper and metallic silver
Material PMMA
Conventional Ag+ technology
PMMA HyProTecht XT Technology
PC Conventional Ag+ technology
PC
HyProTecht XT Technology
85 - 89
Table 1: Comparison of transparency of PC containing a traditional silver-based antimicrobial against the new HyProTecht silver-based additive from HeiQ Source: HeiQ
in hygiene applications, including coatings, plastics, textiles and water purification. The company expects these active ingredients to grow in use.
Colourful options US-based Cupron’s patented oxidised copper antimicrobial ingredient is formulated as a powder. It has partnered with compounder Techmer PM, which compounds the powder and provides masterbatches. Techmer’s most recent product is CupronColor, which provides a customised, extended color palette (earlier masterbatches were limited by the red color of the copper antimicrobial). “Copper-based additives have multiple modes
of action as opposed to silver’s single mode of action. It is also more cost-effective than silver. The biggest disadvantage of copper was the inherited colour, which CupronColor has overcome for most requested colours,” says Jon Rogers, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Techmer PM. The Cupron additive is used in a wide variety of
products. One US application, Stericycle’s SafeShield Medical Waste Container, was named the 2022 Product of the Year by the Business Intelligence Group. The reusable containers for regulated medical waste contain Cupron to help protect against growth of microorganisms. Last year, Polygiene Group acquired Addmaster, including its BioMaster silver ion-based antimicrobial technology, which is being used broadly in fibres, coatings and plastic compounds. In compounds, the company is calling its antimicrobial brand “Mindful Living” as it aims to help businesses and consumers
20 COMPOUNDING WORLD | July 2023
www.compoundingworld.com Transparency (%) 80 - 85 86 - 90 78 - 83
ADDITIVES | ANTIMICROBIALS
Table 2: Comparison of transparency of Polycarbonate and Acrylic/PMMA resin with Ag+ and HyProTecht XT
IMAGE: TECHMER PM
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