ANTIMICROBIALS | ADDITIVES


as low risk, in part due to the encapsulation of the active substance within a glass matrix, says David Hall, Managing Director at BioCote.


Reusable and recycled “We are witnessing a significant shift toward reusable plastic parts across various sectors, driven by a combination of sustainability initiatives and regulatory pressures,” says Hall. Antimicrobials could play a role in these applications. BioCote says that certifications for following hygiene procedures, such as HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) certification, can enhance consumer confidence and adds an extra layer of credibility that products with embedded antimicrobial additives meet stringent hygiene requirements. An example is returnable cup schemes. “In sectors that require heightened hygiene standards, such as those involving food contact items, there is a compelling opportunity for producers to explore the integration of antimicrobial properties into reusable plastics,” Hall says. Antimicrobial technology may also benefit


recycled materials. Tests conducted by BioCote on PP PCR with the ISO 22196 test method found that that incorporating antimicrobial technology into recycled materials enhances their hygiene proper- ties (see chart on previous page). In a recent whitepaper, Klura Labs highlighted the challenges of integrating antimicrobial technol- ogy into materials, saying that there is not one technology that fits all applications. The company says that it has created a toolbox of active and inert ingredients that it has optimised in masterbatches for specific uses. The company says it does not use any heavy metals, such as copper or silver, but that its products are effective. In one test, the company found that a Klura masterbatch is as effective as pure copper and significantly more effective than a commercial copper-containing product in reducing the bacterium E. coli in a PP cosmetic packaging container. Klura Labs has received eight grants, totaling more than £2.1m, from Innovate UK over the past three years. The most recent grant was for development of an antimicrobial reusable food packaging solution.


Healthcare applications There is an ongoing need for protection of plastic surfaces in healthcare facilities as part of the defense against hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). Masterbatch supplier Ampacet’s ProVital + GermsClean additive was developed to protect plastic components in healthcare facilities by


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blocking bacterial growth and slowing down fungi multiplication, which can prevent the formation of harmful biological layers, the company says. The additive is said to protect surfaces from a wide spectrum of pathogens at a low addition rate. It has a very low silver content, which Ampacet says limits discolouration. The masterbatch has been pre-evaluated for biocompatibility, and the formulation is manufac- tured under consistent process parameters, with a no-change policy for raw materials. Avient added new grades of antimicrobial and antifungal additives to its Cesa Withstand portfolio. These new grades are designed to enhance the performance of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film-laminated products and devices in outdoor, medical, aviation, marine, and industrial applica- tions, for example. The company says that new grades meet the specific antibacterial and anti-mould protection needs of medical beds, transparent tent compo- nents, and ice bags, with effective reduction con- firmed in testing to international standards. Other applications could include portable energy storage, protective equipment, outdoor apparel, and air sleeping pads. They are currently manufactured in Asia and are commercially available globally.


CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: � www.microban.com � www.tolsa.com � www.parxmaterials.com � www.copptech.com � www.wellspm.com � www.heiq.com � www.biocote.com � www.klura.com � www.ampacet.com � www.avient.com


July 2024 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 39


Above: Ampacet’s ProVital + GermsClean additive was developed to protect plastic components in healthcare facilities


IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK / SFAM_PHOTO


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