Benefits of anti-microbial additives

Additives with anti-microbial properties provide protection against bacteria and other harmful organisms. A growing number of additives are gaining acceptance in the medical field for their ability to match product design with solutions inhibiting the growth of bacteria.

Bacteria, fungi, moulds and mildews are all present and part of our environment. These microscopic organisms have adapted to live and thrive in almost all places. Residual levels of many bacterial strains are of no consequence to human health, in fact they can help build a general level of resistance in our immune system to infection and disease. But certain microbes are harmful to humans and can spread out to cause infections and diseases, and there is particular need to control these in sensitive environments, such as hospitals where infections, like  MRSA, can prove to be fatal.  Microbes have also been the cause of product deterioration, and discolouration, malodour and food contamination. 

Anti-microbial additives provide an extra layer of protection when combined with normal cleaning procedures. These additives can provide protection to plastic films, fibres,  mouldings, powder coatings, adhesives, and wet paint, amongst others. 

Inhibiting the growth of bacteria

Designed as an anti-microbial plastic additive system to provide protection against common bacteria and fungi, d2p from Symphony Environmental provides plastic products with particular anti-microbial benefits. d2p comprises a range of masterbatches, each tailored to specific applications and polymer processes.

Symphony Environmental developed d2p anti-microbial plastic additive to contain unique active ingredients that help to inhibit the growth of common bacteria, such as E. Coli, MRSA and Salmonella.  The active ingredients are released over time due to the presence of a controlling mechanism and d2p is an effective solution against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Symphony Environmental’s d2p anti-microbial plastic additive contains a silver-based salt which slowly releases silver ions that safely inhibit the growth of bacteria over a long period of time.

d2p’s activity follows three distinct stages. During stage 1, the active ingredient penetrates the offending micro-organism’s cellular membrane; it then breaches the cellular wall and makes its way through to the cell. In stage 2, the active ingredient interacts with enzymes, deactivating vital molecules. During the final stage, d2p interacts with the DNA, ensuring that the offending cell does not replicate itself.

d2p anti-microbial plastic additives work with PE, PVC, PS, PET and PP and are used in the production of plastic bags and film; plastic food packaging, containers and utensils; waste bins and refuse packaging; and plastic products in medical facilities.

d2p additives are generally added at somewhere between 1% and 2%. Products in the range work at conventional processing temperatures without losing their anti-bacterial properties and have been designed to retain maximum stability whilst in storage and during use.  They are also virtually insoluble, small in size and tolerant to high temperatures. It is engineered to protect against cross contamination, healthcare and food industry infections, staining, discolouration and odor development

The active ingredients in d2p anti-microbial plastics have been successfully tested against over 50 common organisms, such as MRSA, E. Coli, Salmonella, Listeria, Pseudomonas, and Aspergillus Niger, in over 2,000 applications.

Extra layer of protection
Another company, Wells Plastics, has been a specialist in the field of antimicrobial additives for many years.  The UK-based company won the Lord Stafford Award in 2000 for innovation within the field of anti-microbials, Its Bactiglas technology is being successfully used in medical, healthcare and white goods applications with and has FDA, EPA and EFSA food contact registration and approvals.
Wells Plastics’ products have been used in an incredible range of polymers and end applications such as the PE medical tubing and PVC floor tile. Articles manufactured containing Bactiglas additive dispersions have been externally tested and proven to exhibit reductions in bacterial viable counts by as much as 99.9999% against controls.

Bactiglas is a range of silver based antimicrobial additive masterbatches and powder dispersions. Silver has long been established as an excellent biocide however it is the unique nature of the Bactiglas microscopic glass delivery system which provides the products superior consistency and longevity of effect. Residual levels of atmospheric moisture combine with the hydrolytically reactive glass to release the silver ions at the surface of the component.

Tests have shown that the Bactiglas additive continues to work for at least eight years with no reduction in the product’s antibacterial performance antimicrobial additive masterbatches and powder dispersions. Bactiglas works rapidly to reduce the numbers of living bacteria on surfaces. The Bactiglas additive has successfully been incorporated into such polymers as ABS

latex, PP, acetal, nylon, PPS, acrylic, PC, PS, EVA, PE, PU, GPPS, PEEK, PVC, HIPS, PET and copolymers. (IRNA)Adidas NMD Boost