ANTIMICROBIALS | ADDITIVES
appropriate registration for their regions,” says Aric Axness, Vice-President of Business Development at Copptech. He says that copper chemistries have colour limitations due to their reddish hue but are effective in preventing fungal and algae growth. Zinc is used for its ability to inhibit bacterial and fungal growth; it is white in colour, reducing the need for titanium dioxide and also serving as a UV blocker. “Our silver-based products are primarily used for their antibacterial properties. An advantage is that the active ingredient is carried in a soluble glass carrier, which can be matched to the polymer’s refractive index to maintain clarity,” Axness adds. Food packaging is an area of focus for the company’s products, as antimicrobials can help address food waste. “We have demonstrated a 20 to 60% increase in shelf life with our silver-based antimicrobials in trials conducted in Latin America, and we are currently working on translating these results to the US market,” says Axness. “Copper and zinc can also be used in food packaging when clarity is not required. These offer a broader spectrum of protection and are more cost-effective. Additionally, we have a patented combination of copper and zinc chemistries that provides synergistic effects.”
Left: Wells Performance Materials’ BACTIglas range of products has gained EU BPR approval product types 2, 7 and 9
Regulatory updates Biocides allowed under the EU’s BPR have been increasingly limited. Users must check the BPR Article 95 list to see if an active substance is allowed in plastics. Review is ongoing. Julie Simmons, Regulatory Affairs Manager at UK-based Wells Performance Materials – formerly Wells Plastics – says that the EU’s BPR review programme had first been extended to the end of 2024 and has
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