ADDITIVES | ANTIMICROBIAL
Right: LG Electronics is expanding the markets for its glass-based LG PuroTec antimicrobial powder from Asia to Europe and North America
IMAGE: LG ELECTRONICS
plastics perform similarly to the additives in virgin plastics. “Our technologies can actively support the recyclability of plastic products by helping to maintain material integrity, minimise odours, and prevent microbial degradation – factors that often compromise the quality of recycled content,” said Clapp.
Some biobased plastics, such as starch- or
protein-based bioplastics, might be susceptible to microbial attack due to organic residues. “Addition- ally, some bioplastics have a higher capacity to absorb moisture compared to conventional plastics, potentially creating ideal conditions for microbial growth, particularly in warm or humid settings. In such cases, incorporating an antimicro- bial additive can help mitigate and control this risk,” Clapp suggested.
Regulatory challenges Regulations pose a challenge to developing new active ingredients, including naturally derived substances, as registration is complex and costly, said Andreas Weckmann, Global Technology Manager at Lanxess. “This tightening environment means that large companies such as Lanxess must invest substantial financial resources and technical expertise to maintain the approval of existing biocides. Rather than introducing entirely new active substances, the focus is shifting toward defending and sustaining those already in use. As the industry adapts, strategic investment and regulatory foresight will be key to ensuring continued access to effective biocidal solutions in thermoplastics,” he noted. “We are observing a clear trend toward antimi-
crobial solutions with more favourable regulatory classifications, particularly with respect to skin sensitisation, leaching properties, and environmen- tal persistence,” said Veton Sadiku, Product Manager at Sanitized in Burgdorf, Switzerland. The business unit has more than 30 formulations based on diverse technologies designed to meet the specific performance and regulatory needs of each substrate, he explained. The company tailors multi-active formulations to
14 COMPOUNDING WORLD | July 2025
specific microbial challenges. “TBZ [thiabendazole] is included in select formulations to complement other actives and broaden the efficacy spectrum, particu- larly against resistant bacterial or fungal strains,” said Sadiku. He noted that TBZ is approved for use under the EU Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) and that there currently are no pending regulatory restrictions concerning its use in treated articles. The company’s formulations incorporating Folpet/TBZ have demon- strated reliable long-term protection in demanding end-use applications, such as PVC roofing mem- branes and synthetic leather, under prolonged UV radiation and moisture exposure. The company offers antimicrobial solutions for a wide range of polymers in addition to PVC, including polyolefins, foams, and engineering plastics. In post-consumer recycled PVC and other thermoplastics, odour management in recyclates is emerging as a critical performance requirement, said Sadiku.
Glass powder LG Electronics recently announced that it would expand its advanced materials business with LG PuroTec, an antimicrobial glass powder that can be used in applications such as home appliances, construction materials and medical devices. The additive offers both antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, and even in small quantities it can help prevent odours, contamination and discoloration caused by microorganisms. First introduced in 2023, the products were expanded in Asian markets, such as China, Vietnam and India, and are now being introduced to Europe and North America. “We will continue to develop advanced materi-
als that meet the evolving needs of global B2B customers,” said Baek Seung-tae, head of LG’s Kitchen Solution Business. “These innovative solutions will enable us to expand beyond tradi- tional home appliances and into broader, future- forward industries.” PuroTec was developed in-house at LG and has been used in home appliances, including the handles for refrigerators and dishwashers, which frequently come in contact with human skin, as well as parts such as door gaskets. Other applications
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