New Molding Compounds from Perstorp help protect restaurant customers and employees against spread of infections, disease

Sweden-based specialty-chemicals company, Perstorp, today introduced to the restaurant industry, Polygiene™, a new series of antiviral and antimicrobial molding compounds that have been developed to make a wide variety of common items “Safe to Touch™” by delivering higher levels of hygiene than previously available. A patent-pending formulation in the compounds is tested and proven effective against a range of aggressive bacteria – including Salmonella Typhi and Escherichia Coli – viruses, molds, and yeasts. It is also the first tested and proven to kill the SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) on contact. This new breakthrough technology represents a major development in the global fight against infection and disease and is expected to find increased use in light and electrical fittings, toilet seats, washroom accessories, public phones, baby changing tables, and other items used in the restaurant setting.

When used to mold devices commonly used in restaurants, Polygiene compounds can help cut the “transmission path” of disease and infection due to their outstanding antiviral and antimicrobial capabilities. Combined with high levels of personal hygiene and a commitment to cleanliness best practices in the restaurant environment, the risk of spreading disease can be reduced even further. The new compounds can also help reduce the risk of disease-spread in hospitals, hotels, and other public facilities, as well as in private residences. Though not a substitute for normal hygienic practices, 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.

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 restaurants and restaurant chains who can now specify devices moulded from Polygiene for the built-in functional hygiene performance this new technology offers. Manufacturers of devices and items used in these facilties can now proactively meet public demand for increased hygiene requirements.

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

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