ANTIMICROBIALS | TECHNOLOGY Keeping surfaces clean
Biocidal and antimicrobial additives for plastics stand ready to address microorganism growth in a wide range of applications, limiting material degradation and extending product lifetimes. Jennifer Markarian reports
The onset in 2020 of the Covid-19 pandemic put growth of microbes on ‘high-touch’ surfaces centre- stage around the world, with individuals and organ- isations everywhere becoming especially con- cerned about sanitizing surfaces. Many other plastics industry megatrends, even concerns about single-use packaging and its contribution to plastic waste disposal and the need to improve recyclabil- ity, were put on hold temporarily. While those issues have regained prominence in mid-2021, the desire for ‘clean’ surfaces is certain to continue. To that end, plastics formulators can call on a range of inorganic (silver or zinc-based) and organic active ingredients additives that can ‘embed’ antimicro- bial protection into polymers and suppress microbial growth on plastic surfaces. “The pandemic has brought into sharp focus
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how microbes, if left unchecked, can have a big impact on our lives,” says Dr Ivan Ong, Vice President of Research & Development at Microban International, a leading player in antimicrobial additives. Ong predicts continuing growth in antimicrobial additive use in plastics applications. “Antimicrobials built into products can aid in lengthening the useful life of products. Post-pandemic, we see this benefit as contributive to emerging corporate and indus- trial sustainability efforts. By making the useful life of plastic products longer, antimicrobials can play a beneficial role by preventing wasteful premature disposal. By their design, antimicrobials are used in repeated-use, durable articles, and the benefit they bring will aid in encouraging industry and consum- ers in migrating from single-use packaging and
Main image: The Covid-19 pandemic has intensified concerns over infection but demand for microbial- resistant surfaces extends beyond healthcare
July 2021 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 27
IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK
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