The safe side of antimicrobials

The antimicrobial additives market is on the rise owing to the rapid urbanisation, according to a study by Market Data Forecast. The global antimicrobial additives market was worth $2.82 billion in 2016 and is estimated to be growing at a CAGR of 6.3%, to reach $3.83 billion by 2021. As the report indicated, antimicrobial additive is imbued into an item while manufacturing to terminate microorganisms or hinder their development for an extended time period. Once introduced into an item, an antimicrobial additive will work persistently to make the item more sterile, limiting the potential for cross-pollution and broadening an item's lifetime.

 

Some of the key driving factors of the market are growing cases of infectious diseases, increasing awareness towards health care, and rapid urbanisation in developing countries. Factors like growing investment in health care and increasing number of life-threatening diseases are also expected to have a positive impact on the market expansion. However, major restraining factors of the market are strict regulations regarding the application of antimicrobial additives and ban on several antimicrobial additives due to severe side effects.

 

Geographically, the market is categorised into North America, Latin America, Asia-pacific, Europe and Middle East & Africa. The major share of the market is accounted by Asia-pacific owing to its high population. Asia-Pacific is followed by North America and Europe in terms of market share.

 

 

EPA-approved polymer

Poly Group LLC, an Indiana-based technology company, announces that an Environmental Protection Agency-approved antimicrobial polymer called Nouvex™, is shown to eradicate established biofilm, or slimy films of bacteria. “Biofilm forms on most untreated surfaces in moist environments and contributes to degradation, staining and odors in a multitude of situations,” said Thomas E. Hopkins, Poly Group chief scientific officer. “Biofilms are of particular concern due to the difficulty in gaining access to the bacteria present in order to eradicate. Nouvex represents a new approach to solving problems of microbial degradation of materials as well as the spread of undesirable bacteria.”

 

Nouvex provides a new way to remove and prevent bacterial contamination that is unlike current chemicals or metal agents such as copper, and silver. The technology, which was developed in the laboratory of Jeffrey Youngblood, a Purdue University professor of materials engineering, was tested at an independent laboratory using the ASTM MBEC Biofilm Testing method. Poly Group is located in the Purdue Research Park of Southeast Indiana in New Albany, Indiana.

 

“Safely removing biofilm from plastics such as thermosets and thermoplastics and other non-food products is a real challenge, and we are excited about the results of this testing,” said Craig Kalmer, Poly Group chief operating officer. “This enhances our market opportunities as part of the first-phase in expanding the use of Nouvex.

 

The EPA approved Nouvex N950-9010 Master Batch to be used in non-food contact coatings, papers, textiles, and plastics such as thermoset and thermoplastics and synthetics; injection moulding; extrusions and powder coatings to control microorganisms that cause deterioration, discolouration and odour. Nouvex is registered in 49 of 50 states.

 

Nouvex, when tested using EPA required protocols, demonstrates that when used as directed is safe to the environment and provides effective material protection as a preservative. The EPA registration is based on independent laboratory testing that demonstrates the ability of Nouvex to be effective in preserving a wide variety of materials.

 

The antimicrobial market is a multi-billion dollar industry that presents multiple options and pathways for commercialising Nouvex. Widely published statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate infections acquired in U.S. hospitals affect two million individuals every year and result in nearly 100,000 deaths annually.