PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE
size, moisture content, visual appearance, and active substance concentration, as required for that specific chemical. Once the additive has been manufactured into the customer’s product, it is returned to us for analysis. Experienced microbiologists from an independent laboratory measure and validate the product’s antimicrobial performance using the appropriate certified test method. This ensures that products deliver the required levels of efficacy associated with the standards of the BioCote trademark.
Bathroom fittings are an increasingly common application for antimicrobial technology.
by integrating antimicrobial additives directly into the product during manufacturing. Alternatively, additives can be manufactured into a paint or coating (whether solvent, oil, or water-based, liquid, powder, ink, lacquer, or varnish, and whether used externally or internally), to subsequently apply to existing items. Introducing an additive is a cost-effective process, and will not affect the colour or clarity of a product, or the colour, finish, or application process, of a paint or coating. Antimicrobial additives are made
from antimicrobial materials (‘active ingredients’) – examples include silver, zinc, and organic compounds, as well as combinations such as silver/zinc blends. While many substances are antimicrobial, the way they function, perform, or last, is not universal. BioCote has a thorough understanding of how each additive should be used, enabling us to formulate a solution for every possible application, and achieve the highest levels of antimicrobial performance. The additives
are supplied to our partner customers either as a concentrated powder or liquid suspension, or as masterbatch pellets, depending on the type of product being treated and its end-use, and the production process.
Making surfaces ‘inhospitable’ to microbes The additives work by making surfaces inhospitable to microbes, by causing, for example, protein, cell membrane, and oxidative damage, or through DNA interference. Once additives are integrated, the treated product or coating becomes antimicrobial, and will be permanently and continuously protected against the growth of a wide range of microbes – providing that the product or coating itself is not compromised. Once BioCote’s additives are formulated, and before we send them to customers to integrate into their products, we carry out stringent quality control tests and checks on parameters such as particle
Chemical markers By using special additives, our technology can also include fluorescent chemical markers (taggants). They are invisible to the naked eye, but can be identified with a detector to confirm the presence of antimicrobial additives (and provide legal protection where necessary, for example in product liability cases).
Supporting internal cleaning regimes Antimicrobial solutions are beneficial for healthcare infrastructure, where quality and durability are essential – but antimicrobial technology is equally beneficial for internal healthcare environments. The technology can help to protect fixtures and fittings, products, and equipment, by guarding against the unpleasant odours, staining, and material degradation that some microbes can cause – helping to extend product longevity. Importantly, it can also strengthen cleaning regimes. In recent years, the way that microbes such as bacteria can spread from one surface to another through cross- contamination has become an increasing concern for the healthcare sector.
April 2022 Health Estate Journal 39
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