Sustainable Plastics - July/August 2022 - 25

materials and additives
crobial growth, which preserves
quality and aesthetics, extends
the product's lifespan and reduces
plastic waste.
Tried and tested technologies
for plastics
Silver and zinc have long been
used in many industries for their
antimicrobial properties, as
they are potent at low concentrations
against bacteria, yeast,
and moulds. These additives
work at a cellular level, continually
disrupting the growth and
reproduction of microorganisms.
More recently, silver- or
zinc-based additives have been
incorporated into a wide range
of products - from food storage
containers to washing machines
- during manufacture to
provide continuous antimicrobial
protection.
These built-in antimicrobial
solutions and coatings adhere
to a surface and effectively act
as a barrier to help reduce the
growth of microbes, improving
the overall cleanliness of products.
Having the capability to
incorporate the same technology
into various formulations,
without impacting the plastic's
properties, is an important step
forward for the future of the
compounding and additives industries,
and a promising prospect
for bringing odour control
and antimicrobial technologies
into the fight for sustainability.
Powerful, 'always on' protection
that does not wash off or
wear away provides the perfect
complement to routine cleaning
with surface disinfection products,
ensuring products - especially
those containing recycled
plastics - can stay clean, smell
fresh, and last longer.
There are a few leading companies
in the market offering
proven antimicrobial additives
for plastics, but it is important to
partner with a well-established
and trusted provider capable
of offering tailored solutions to
match exact material requirements.
Selecting a specialist
supplier - such as Microban International
- that has invested a
lot of time and effort to address
this unmet need is crucial. Indepth
knowledge of global regulatory
requirements can also
help manufacturers to navigate
the complexities of biocidal regulations
in various geographical
markets. For example, it is
crucial to select an antimicrobial
solutions provider whose
silver- or zinc-based formulas,
for instance, are registered with
the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) in the US or notified
with the Biocidal Products
Regulation (BPR) in Europe.
There is a portfolio of approved
chemistries on the
market that can be formulated
into polymer pellets, powders
and liquids. These scientifically
proven antimicrobial protections
can be manufactured into
a range of synthetic materials,
including polypropylene, polystyrene,
polyethylene, polyvinyl
chloride, polycarbonate and
acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.
Specialized pellet-based masterbatches
ensure that the technology
can be seamlessly incorporated
into injection moulding,
extruded thermoplastic and
thermosetting polymer production
processes. There are
also a variety of powder and
liquid-based masterbatches for
other processes, such as powder
coating, roto-moulding and
foaming.
The sustainability of
plastics of the future
Plastics that are treated with
antimicrobial technologies have
longer term benefits and make
products more attractive to all
consumers, including those
who focus on sustainability
and are environmentally conscious.
Built-in treatments in
plastics provide enduring protection
by slowing the growth
of degrading microbes - such
as moulds and mildews - keeping
materials cleaner, reducing
odours, and promoting longer
product life. This reduces the
expense and environmental
costs associated with wastage
and premature replacement of
materials, ultimately helping
to shape a greener planet. The
main aim now is to implement
these sustainable plastics to ensure
these added living benefits
across the globe.
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Sustainable Plastics - July/August 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Sustainable Plastics - July/August 2022
