ANTIMICROBIAL | ADDITIVES
articles exemption. In order to qualify for such exemption, the antimicrobial products must use an EPA-registered pesticide and only make claims to preserve the article from microorganisms causing material deterioration, stains and odour, explained Tom Ellefsen, head of the Antimicrobials Business Unit at HeiQ. In order to make hygiene claims, such as “kills viruses” or “kills bacteria”, plastic articles must obtain registration with the EPA and show positive efficacy testing under the EPA Dry Test Method, which requires 3 log (99.9%) or greater reduction of the challenge viruses or bacteria with only two hours of contact time under dry test conditions. Ellefsen said that other industry test methods, such as ISO 22196 for bacteria and ISO 20721 for viruses, use 24 hours contact time and humid test conditions. He said that widely used antimicrobials, including silver, can pass these 24-hour tests for treated article claims, but may not be able to pass the 2-hour test. Brands that want to make public health claims are seeking antimicrobials with a quick-kill effect.
Kill claims “A similar efficacy requirement for strong kill claims is now also developing in the European Union,” Ellefsen said. “With the introduction of the new ISO 7581 test method, which requires 3 log bacterial reductions with only 1-hour contact time and dry test conditions, the European market now has a test method suitable for plastic articles sold under the Biocidal Products Regulation’s Product Type 2, which covers disinfectant activity.” He continued: “While the European Union
IMAGE: HEIQ
traditionally has been heavy on regulation and light on enforcement, the expectation is that regulators increasingly will require quick-kill ISO 7581 test results for plastic articles that make hygiene claims, and only apply 24-hour testing to plastic articles that make claims against organisms causing stains, odour and material degradation.” In response, HeiQ developed a range of masterbatches that can deliver quick-kill efficacy against viruses and bacteria, including passing results under ISO 7581 and the EPA Dry Test Method, said Ellefsen. For textile applications, HeiQ supplies both odour control treatments that are incorporated into fibres at the extrusion stage, and treatments that are topically applied to textiles at the dyeing or finishing stage, said Ellefsen. For embedding into fibres, HeiQ supplies masterbatches directly to fibre manufacturers as well as additives to master-
Above: New test methods for bacterial reduction can be used in the EU
BECAUSE FACTS MATTER. 100
80 % SHOR T E R C L E A NING T IME NO CAKING, NO D E AD S PA C E % S A F E O P E R AT I O N
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THE CONTAINER MIXER CMQ FROM ZEPPELIN SYSTEMS
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