7 Jun 2004
Molding compounds from Perstorp shown to kill SARS virus and other bacteria, making more devices “Safe to Touch™”
Perstorp the Sweden-based specialty-chemicals company, have introduced, Polygiene™ a new series of antiviral and antimicrobial molding compounds to make a wide variety of electrical devices such as light switches and switch plates; sanitary ware such as toilet seats; as well as items like door handles, hand rails, baby changing tables, lift buttons, pens and public phones “Safe to Touch.” A patent-pending formulation in the compounds is the first tested and proven to kill the SARS corona virus (SARS-CoV) on contact. It also kills a wide range of bacteria, yeasts, and molds. To be featured on the company’s stand 5G39, Hall 05, at K2004 this new technology, combined with high levels of personal hygiene and a commitment to cleanliness best practices in such high-risk public places as hospitals, hotels, restaurants, and public transportation, as well as in private residences, can help reduce the risk of spreading disease.
Having successfully tested Polygiene against the extremely resistant SARS corona virus, Perstorp are confident that a new series of laboratory tests currently being conducted in both Asia and Europe will demonstrate Polygiene’s effectiveness against an even broader range of virus and bacteria. A key focus of the company’s testing program is the MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) bacteria, which is of particular concern in hospitals and care establishments where it can cause serious illness such as surgical wound infections and pneumonia. Research undertaken by Milan University, Italy, has already proven Polygiene’s effectiveness against Staphylococcus Aureus.
Polygiene is a product of three years of R&D investment and can be used in a variety of injection-molded amino compounds such as Aminel® and Amitec™ resins, as well as compression-molded aminos.
The technology builds upon the inherent antimicrobial and antiviral properties of the base resins and enhances this via use of a second-generation antiseptic additive.
The additive is homogeneously distributed throughout the molded part and is locked into the resin matrix, so it provides protection for the lifetime of the part and never wears off, unlike surface treatments. Additionally, the additive has no side effects for the user or the environment, contains no chlorinated or volatile-organic compounds (VOCs), and does not change the desirable mechanical, physical, or processing properties of the resins.
Amino compounds are commonly used in applications demanding high levels of hygiene. These materials are strong, durable, have a ceramic-like sound and feel with good surface characteristics, are creep resistant, cost-effective, have broad chemical resistance, good electrical insulating properties, and are inherently flame retardant without the use of flame retardant additives. They are also environmentally friendly, since they are produced in a solvent-free manufacturing process.
In response to the growing international concern over the spread of diseases Polygiene was developed by Perstorp for use in applications requiring even higher sanitary levels than in the past. Not only are device manufacturers showing interest in this material, but hotel chains, hospitals and clinics, restaurants, food processing plants, airports, public buildings, and mass-transit operations are becoming increasingly interested, as well.
Processing like conventional molding compounds, polymers with the Polygiene technology can be injection or compression molded. They are commercially available worldwide and are offered in a wide range of colours. Versus standard urea grades and thermoplastic, the new Polygiene materials have been shown to provide active suppression of bacteria’s and SARS corona virus. This has been confirmed by independent in vitro testing at both China’s Military Academy of Medical Science, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, and Italy’s University of Milan’s Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine (using the Film Contact Method).
According to Lennart Holm, President and CEO of Perstorp, “It is clear from bot
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Perstorp
Perstorp Holding AB
Neptunigatan 1
SE-211 20 Malmö
Sweden
Notes for editors
Perstorp AB, Sweden, is a leading specialty chemicals and performance materials company, primarily serving customers in the paint, plastic processing, automotive, and building and construction industries. The company has manufacturing facilities in eight countries in Europe, North America, and Asia, and 2,100 employees worldwide. Company sales in 2003 totalled USD 800 million.
Perstorp has been actively involved in engineering materials for more than 80 years. Company scientists constantly strive to develop newer and better generations of these technologies to deliver higher levels of productivity, quality consistency, application development versatility, and environmental safety. Perstorp’s worldwide manufacturing and sales coverage is backed by exceptional experience and expertise to provide customers with the most reliable and highest quality products and services available.
Polygiene, Aminel and Amitec are registered trademarks of Perstorp, AB.
Related images
Processing like conventional molding compounds, polymers with the Polygiene™ antiSARS and antimicrobial technology can be injection or compression molded. They are commercially available worldwide and are offered in a wide range of colours.
In response to the growing international concern over the spread of diseases such as SARS-CoV, Polygiene™ was developed by Perstorp for use in applications requiring even higher sanitary levels than in the past. Not only are device manufacturers showing interest in this material, but hotel chains, hospitals and clinics, restaurants, food processing plants, airports, public buildings, and mass-transit operations are becoming increasingly interested, as well.
Photo Perstorp
