With feel, sound of ceramic, Perstorp’s new antiviral/antimicrobial molding compounds make sanitary ware “Safe to Touch™”

Manufacturers and suppliers of sanitary ware and accessories – to public buildings, airports, rail stations, restaurant chains, and hospitals now have a new, value-added weapon in the fight against the spread of infection and disease. Recently announced by Sweden-based specialty-chemicals company, Perstorp, a new series of antiviral and antimicrobial molding compounds called Polygiene™ is helping make an array of sanitary ware products– such as toilet seats, bathroom shelving, and washroom accessories “Safe to Touch” by delivering higher levels of hygiene to public buildings and other facilities than previously available. A patent-pending formulation in the new Polygiene compounds is the first tested and proven to kill the SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) on contact. It also kills a wide range of bacteria, yeasts, and molds, further underscoring its superior antiviral and antimicrobial performance.

When used to mold sanitary devices, Polygiene compounds can help cut the “transmission path” of pathogens due to their outstanding antiviral and antimicrobial capabilities. As a result, this new technology, combined with high levels of personal hygiene and a commitment to cleanliness best practices in high-traffic public areas where the concentration of viruses and bacteria has traditionally been high, can help reduce the risk of spreading infection and disease. The new compounds are also suitable for use in light and electrical fittings, public phones, baby changing tables, lift buttons, and a range of other items found in public buildings and private residences. Though not a substitute for normal hygiene measures, Polygiene provides an added level of security as it acts against bacteria and viruses immediately on contact.

Having successfully tested Polygiene against the extremely resistant SARS coronavirus, and other viruses, bacteria, and molds, 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. This is especially important for sanitary ware manufacturers and suppliers, who can now mould their products from Polygiene

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