Antimicrobial biostabilizers (biocides) or preservatives are added to plastics to protect the material by acting against microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and algae that can attack the plastic, resulting in unwanted changes in chemical or physical properties, or in the appearance of the plastic product. Microbial degradation can be thwarted by using an antimicrobial additive during processing. Many chemicals have antimicrobial properties, but few are suitable for use in plastics, requiring low cost, compatibility, thermal stability during processing, environmental stability, and safe/easy handling.
Lonza Microbial Control's antimicrobials/biocides are highly effective and offer a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity compared to other standard agents (i.e. OBPA-- OxyBisPhenoxArsine, TBT--TriButylTin, DCOIT-- DiChloroOctyIsoThiazolinone or OIT--OctyIsoThiazolinone). Zinc OMADINE™ Antimicrobial, VANQUISH™ 100 Antimicrobial, and VANQUISH™ SL 10 Antimicrobial (a patented blend of VANQUISH™ and Zinc OMADINE™) offer excellent protection for polymers against a broad variety of:
Originally employed as biostabilizers to preserve plastic articles and extend shelf-life, the use of antimicrobials as active ingredients to provide additional benefits to the user have dramatically increased in recent years. When antimicrobials are used as active ingredients in plastics, they provide the ability of plastic products to maintain surfaces in a sanitary/hygienic state and/or to provide additional protection, such as against odor development. The growing concern over bacterial contamination has led to various new emerging plastic technology developments such as wood-plastic composites.