ADDITIVES | ANTIMICROBIAL
antimicrobial technology, so we are adapting the equipment to meet our specific requirements with the necessary precision,” said Van der Jagt. “Once this is finalised, the line will support a more automated and scalable production of our additive, ensuring consistent quality and enabling broader integration into thermoplastic compounds across various sectors.”
Above: Cesa WithStand SX Low Haze Antimicrobial Additives by Avient offer protection against the growth of bacteria, mould, or fungi and maintain visual clarity, even with the use of recycled materials
antimicrobials in plastics, pointing to growth in applications in underlayment, building and construction, and apparel, including personal protective equipment. Another application area is parts that are submerged underwater for extensive periods. “The need here is to prevent fungal or barnacle growth that would damage the plastic parts during use, leading to better durability and overall sustainability,” said Serpersu.
Non-biocidal option Parx Materials’ Passive Action Polymer Technology antimicrobial technology based on elemental zinc is described as a non-biocidal alternative to traditional antimicrobial and fouling-prevention methods. GCP Technology, a Norwegian technol- ogy and industrial company, acquired a majority share of Netherlands-based Parx Materials in 2024, with the aim of growing the company. “Our technology is fundamentally different: it contains no biocides, it doesn’t leach, and it doesn’t create toxicity. It’s based on an elemental and traceable material – zinc – permanently integrated into the surface of the polymer, where it prevents bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation without releasing anything into the environment,” explained Michaël van der Jagt, CEO of Parx Materials. The company has recently conducted trials with
partners in food packaging, specifically vacuum- packed fresh fish. “By integrating our antimicrobial technology into just the layer of vacuum film that comes into contact with the fish, we’ve been able to extend the shelf life of fresh salmon by more than seven days. This is achieved without adding any chemicals that migrate or alter the product – the technology simply prevents bacterial adhesion and the onset of spoilage from the surface,” said Van der Jagt. In December, Parx announced that it had set up
new production equipment in Italy in an expansion and to bring capacity in-house. “Some steps in our production process are tailored to our patented
18 COMPOUNDING WORLD | July 2025
Low haze Avient’s latest is Cesa WithStand SX Low Haze Antimicrobial Additives for clear polycarbonate and acrylic applications. The company said the next-generation formula is especially useful for products incorporating recycled resin and is currently available in the US and Canada. “Our patent-pending formulation solves a long-standing challenge,” said Felipe Reichert, Global Marketing Director for Color, Additives, and Inks at Avient. “Traditional antimicrobials often cause opacity or hazing in polycarbonate or acrylic. This is especially true in applications using recycled content. Cesa WithStand SX, however, helps maintain clarity and protects against haze.” Recycled materials can exhibit significantly higher severity of hazing due to various mecha- nisms, including oxidation; thermal degradation and moisture absorption; and contamination and inconsistent melt flow; due to mixed-source feedstocks, explained Larry Kuzniar, Senior Market- ing Manager, Color, Additives, and Inks at Avient. The new additives are formulated to address potential causes of hazing, helping to enhance clar- ity when recycled content is used. The additives protect against bacterial, mould, and fungal growth, which reduces odour, staining, and discoloration and can help reduce loss of mechanical properties, making the products more appealing and practical for continued use. Antimicrobial additives are finding use in many
application areas, said Kuzniar, including packaging, healthcare and automotive.
CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: �
www.microban.com �
https://lanxess.com �
www.sanitized.com �
www.lg.com �
https://nanoxtech.com �
https://cupron.com �
www.techmerpm.com �
www.parxmaterials.com �
www.avient.com �
https://freshr.tech �
www.diamondedgeventures.com
www.compoundingworld.com
IMAGE: AVIENT
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