Antimicrobial Plastics

Parx Materials, a Netherlands-based startup, has developed a technology to introduce antimicrobial and antiseptic properties on plastic surfaces.

The company has developed a patented material Saniconcentrates, which is made from Zinc, a trace element that is present in the human skin. Its patented technique changes plastic surfaces at a micrometric scale to incorporate Saniconcentrates.

The resulting surface can remove 99.9% bacteria, according to independent tests conducted as per ISO 22196 or JIS Z2801 standards.

The company claims that its product is safe because it does not use nanoparticles or biocides and does not leach out into the environment. It does not use silver, which is toxic and can cause antibiotic resistance. The antimicrobial properties last forever and is not affected by light, temperature or shape.

The technology is being used on food plastic packaging to make food last longer and is being used by Aldi supermarkets in the United States. Norweigian firm ZincIn is using it to make plastic food trays safe to use during the covid-19 pandemic.

It can be used in the insides of pipes and drains to prevent clogging, and tests have shown that the Saniconcentrates can act against Legionella bacteria.

Parx Materials has also developed a brand of protective fabric for outdoor furniture called Ramprotex in collaboration with Ramfil. Testing as per ISO 846 standards showed that the yarn showed better performance against molds and discoloration than biocides.

It has also incorporated its technology in dental trays and tampon applicators, in partnerships with Zinch and Dame companies respectively.

In May 2020, certification firm SGS said that the Parx technology used in face masks was effective against pneumonia.

Parx Materials won the World Technology Award in 2014 and has been selected a Wired Startup of the Week.