Antimicrobial additives in Paints & Coatings

The desire for protection from moulds, viruses, bacteria (microbes of all kinds) did not begin with the COVID-19 pandemic. In 800 BC, Homer’s epic poems, Iliad and Odyssey, contained references to using sulphur to control fungal disease. Ancient Egyptian embalmers used cinnamon-infused bandages to control mould. 

Metals have also been used for more than 3,000 years as protection from a variety of microbes. Ancient Greeks and Egyptians used silver vessels to keep water and other liquids fresh. In the Middle Ages, the wealthy people stored and ate their food from silver containers to keep bacteria from growing. 

Nowadays, many of the ancient problems of food storage, preservation and disease mitigation have been solved. However, many of the same concerns around infectious properties of harmful bacteria, mould, fungi, and other microbes are still of great concern. That’s why adding antimicrobial additives into paints and coatings in order to keep surfaces protected from harmful microorganisms is definitively worthy. 

Key benefits of antimicrobial paints & coatings:

• Longer lifetime: Antimicrobial additives added into coatings help to prevent premature degradation, ensuring the extension of shelf-life not only for the coatings but also, indirectly, for the coated product. 
• Reduction of bad odours: Bad odours are frequently caused by bacteria. Reducing the growth of bacterial populations on surfaces will subsequently reduce unpleasant odours. 
• Longer good looking: Antimicrobial coatings will be able to resist better the growth of mould and, in general, the impact of humidity and other external impacts affecting the aspect. 
• Reduction of cleaning frequency: One of the major advantages of antimicrobial coatings is that they protect continuously if the coating remains intact on the surface. Although this will not eliminate the need for manual cleaning and disinfecting, the coating provides an additional level of protection in-between hygiene protocols. 
• Opening to new markets: Antimicrobial coatings, being a differentiated and more hygienic solution can be the key to access particular markets such as hospitals and sanitary facilities. 
• Environmental & economic impact: Products with a longer lifetime & good looking, together with cleaning protocols with less harsh cleaning chemicals or less frequent, lead to an obvious optimization, enabling more sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions. 

These modern-day continuously acting antimicrobial coatings could have a huge immediate impact on health, safety and economy not only by decreasing the transmission of viruses, bacteria and mould but also thanks to other advantages such as those related to sustainability & environmental impact.

If you’re interested in developing an antimicrobial paint or coating with our antimicrobial additives BactiBlock®, get in touch with us, we will be happy to provide further information.