5 minute read
Anti-bacterial paints – the new norm
Fifteen months into the most devastating period for our global society, our new normal is making us very aware of the surfaces surrounding us. Clean, hygienic surfaces are no longer something in your local health care facility, but have become critical – in homes, workplaces, factories and the like. Three prominent coatings manufacturers share with us anti-bacterial products produced by them.
I recently read a quote from someone on Twitter, “If the pandemic has taught us one thing, it is how unhygienic we have been living as a society.” This hit hard – very hard. The truth in this statement cannot be debated. South Africa has skipped a flu season for the first time in 40 years. Worldwide flu season has been skipped in many countries.
With a global decentralisation, working from home, less interaction, mask wearing, and a very healthy dose of hand sanitiser being used in excess of 10 times a day for many people – the reality is that due to the increased focus on hygiene, we have curbed many viruses in 2020 that were par for the course in our lives.
This has led to the general population no longer simply considering anti-bacterial coatings as a luxury in a healthcare facility, but something that forms part of coatings in homes, businesses and other areas frequented by people. Let’s find out what Kansai Plascon and Versus Paints have to offer the industry.
KANSAI PLASCON
With the healthcare system ramping up its infrastructure in places that deal with Covid-19, it is important for specifiers and contractors to know about paint products that aid medical responses. Plascon has two product lines suitable for use in the healthcare sector that contain a multitude of properties designed for environments where infection control and anti-microbial performance are essential.
Plascon Professional Hygiene™ Low Sheen uses silver technology called BIODEFENCE™ that actively inhibits microbial growth between cleanings and reduces the risk of cross-contamination through painted surfaces, thereby promoting more hygienic hospital and clinic environments. According to Plascon, the technology eliminates up to 99.9% of E.coli bacteria and provides protection against other harmful bacteria.
The paint has low VOC, excellent washability and stain resistance, and it will maintain its antibacterial effectiveness for its full lifetime.
AGE-OLD JAPANESE WISDOM REFINED FOR TODAY’S APPLICATIONS
Dating back 1 300 years, Shikkui is a traditional Japanese plaster that is used as a protective method when infections develop. Plascon’s parent company, Kansai Paint Japan, has successfully converted the Shikkui plaster finish into a paint finish, which will be imported for professional customers on request. The benefits of Kansai Shiquy Paint include an antiviral effect, the elimination of odours, humidity control and air purification.
Viruses exist in moisture, such as droplets from coughing and sneezing, vomit and water vapour in the air (humidity). The strong alkaline content of Shiquy renders viruses in moisture inactive so that they are unable to attach themselves to human/animal cells.
The product has a thin film finish, which can be applied onto various surfaces.
PROFESSIONAL HYGIENE LOW SHEEN PAINT
This paint is suitable for new or existing correctly primed interior plastered, concrete, porous brickwork, and various types of building boards. It is ideal for public spaces, hospitals, veterinaries, doctors’ surgeries, catering companies, food preparation areas, industrial kitchens, nursing homes and prisons.
It is available in 20-litres and has a spreading rate of 13.3m2/l. The product has the following characteristics:
VERSUS PAINTS
Versus Anti-Bacterial Paint was launched three years ago and is a durable, washable, hygienic fast drying coating suitable for interior and exterior use, which acts as an antimicrobial and anti-bacterial product through its Silver Ion technology and is suitable for high traffic and frequently cleaned surfaces.
It is safe and effective in destroying bacteria and microbes in hospitals, kitchens, bathrooms and veterinaries.
The paint can reduce bacterial growth by as much as 95% with continuous protection for the lifetime of the coating. It features exceptional exterior durability and is alkali, fungal, mold, dirt and water resistant.
The company is busy formulating a top-up to the coating, increasing its efficacy even further.
The paint has been tested against Escherichia Coli, Pseudomonas species and Staphylo coccus aureus. Merieux Nutriscience conducted the tests.
Versus Paints is further enhancing its offering by currently working on an anti-Covid-19 coating. Results of this coating are still pending. Through its continuous coatings innovation, it is an approved Netcare vendor.
Versus Anti-Bacterial Paint is
non-yellowing with a stylish finish product featuring high opacity resulting in easy coverage.
HARLEQUIN PAINTS
Harlequin Paints has always been associated with a healthier option when it comes to its coatings.
Its ethos is strongly intrenched with quality, durability and the environment. During the Covid-19 pandemic and the continuous use of harsh cleaning products on surfaces for cleaning and sanitising, Harlequin Paints saw an opportunity to develop a clear coating that would remain safe and hygienic, and would greatly reduce the need to continually sanitise areas.
The company partnered with a UKbased company, SteriTouch™ and over a period of six-months and after extensive independent laboratory testing done in the UK, Harlequin developed a clear coating that can be applied to walls and furniture reducing the need for excessive cleaning.
This product with its heat and water resistance formulation, even scratches and abrasion do not affect the antimicrobial performance. Cleaning chemicals such as chlorine bleach, disinfectants, alcohol and even harsh industrial products such as MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) will not diminish the antimicrobial properties.
STERISEAL™ conforms to ISO 22196 and is being launched in March 2021 as STERISEAL™. It uses ionic silver, it holds extensive approvals, including those for food contact.
All of the active substances are approved by EFSA and FDA and are supported for inclusion on the European Biocidal product regulation. No other organic antimicrobial additives, which have health and environmental concerns are used in this product. It is nonleaching and non-sensitising.
This product can be used safely by anyone from the DIY home decorator to contractors alike.
Although the technology is UK-based, it conforms to international standards (JIS and ISO) and is typically proven to be 99.99% effective against a whole range of common bacteria and microbial organisms that are common in domestic and public environments.
Furthermore, Harlequin Paints will be launching other hygiene related paints for wall and ceilings in the coming months. c
