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Antimicrobial Solutions for Plastic Articles

Concerns over exposure to microbes on article surfaces has generated increased interest in antimicrobial additives for plastics.

Untreated plastic articles can be attacked by microbic growth causing to unsightly discoloration, unpleasant odors, and polymer degradation issues.

Antimicrobial additives can be incorporated with plastic resins during compounding or as a masterbatch during molding to function as a biocide treatment to control microbes.

Common microbes antimicrobials can be effective* against include

Multiple antimicrobial technologies are available which are compatible with wide variety thermoplastic resins

• Biosafe^® silane-based antimicrobials
  Available as an additive for thermoplastics exclusively from RTP Company, Biosafe's silane-based solution provides treatment that is non-migratory, non-depleting, ISO 10993 compliant for non-cytotoxicity, and is fully colorable making it a preferred antimicrobial solution.


• Silver-based antimicrobials
  Silver has been used for centuries as a biosatic agent. When contacted by moisture an electrochemical reaction releases silver ions. These ions penetrate microbes rendering them unable to function, grow, or reproduce.


• Triclosan antimicrobials
  Commonly marketed under the trade name Microban^®. An organic antimicrobial that has processing temperature limitations and can lead to microbe adaption.

A wide variety of plastic articles are suitable** for antimicrobial treatment

Antimicrobial selection

Preparing answers to a few background questions provides a quick checklist that can help determine the suitability of available antimicrobial technologies to your application's requirements:

1. What is the end-use application and its typical usage environment?
2. Do other products of this type already utilize antimicrobial protection?
3. Is there a preferred technology for antimicrobial treatment?
4. Does the antimicrobial additive need to function in a particular resin?
5. Will other additives also be included in the resin?
6. What antimicrobial efficacy or other performance requirements need to be met?
7. What roll does cost have on antimicrobial technology selection?

Additional Information

• PRESS RELEASE: RTP Company partners with Biosafe to market silane-based antimicrobial additive masterbatches
• PRODUCT DATA SHEETS: Antimicrobial Masterbatches
• SUPPLIER WEBSITE: www.biosafeinc.com

* Testing of finished goods by the manufacture is required to ensure
proper performance for individual products and end-use environments.

** Regulations in some counties limit antimicrobial usage and health benefit claims for treated articles.