ANTIMICROBIAL | ADDITIVES
Materials to prevent microbial growth
Antimicrobial additives can be used to extend the useful life of plastic parts by reducing microbial growth and in active packaging applications they are also being used to extend shelf life. By Jennifer Markarian
Antimicrobial or biocidal additives are used in a wide range of thermoplastics to guard against growth of microorganisms. Additives can be compounded into the polymer or applied later as a coating. Antimicrobials “embedded” in the polymer as a compound offer durability. Experts at Lanxess said that increasing demand
for durable, long-term protection during the product lifecycle is driving the use of biocides in thermoplastics such as PVC, polyolefins (PE, PP) and PET. “At the same time, customers are request- ing formulation-specific solutions that are compat- ible with modern plasticisers and processing condi- tions,” the company noted. “Sustainability considerations are also gaining importance, leading to interest in optimised dosing and alternative carrier systems. Overall, the market is becoming more targeted, with biocide solutions tailored to specific polymers and applications.” The increased use of post-consumer recyclate
(PCR) materials, which have the potential for odour or other material issues, is leading to increased need for effective antimicrobial protection, Lanxess added. “There is an increased demand for robust, flexible and future-proof biocide solutions that
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perform reliably across variable feedstock quality,” the company said. Lanxess researchers have developed custom- ised concentrations and carrier systems, designed to integrate efficiently into compounding process- es, and have focused on improving performance in PCR-containing formulations. Ongoing work is also addressing the validation of performance under real processing and end-use conditions, the company said. Antimicrobial provider Sanitized said that the company continues to invest in the development of antimicrobial technologies that address evolving market requirements for performance, durability and processing flexibility, with powders, liquids and pelletised masterbatches. There is a growing interest in non-migrating antimicrobial technolo- gies, particularly in applications requiring long- term performance and durability under demanding conditions such as UV exposure, moisture and weathering. Users are seeking multifunctional additive solutions that can provide benefits including material protection against microbial degradation, appearance retention, stain resistance and odour control, the company said.
Main image: An increasing number of plastic applications require antimicrobial additives
� July 2026 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 17
IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK
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