Antimicrobial Solutions for Displays against COVID-19
Overview
Article courtesy of Kortek Corporation
An antimicrobial is a substance that kills microbes such as bacteria, mold, and fungi. Antimicrobial substances offer a greater level of product protection by inhibiting the growth of microbes on surfaces for very long periods of time.
Solutions
Typical Antimicrobial Substances
Copper (Cu) kills bacteria with high efficiency. But Antimicrobial Cu Film is not recommendable for use in display products, due to its yellowish color and low transparency.
Zinc Oxide (ZnO) is an efficient antimicrobial agent, included in sunblocks for skin protection. ZnO has been listed as “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) by US FDA.
Silver (Ag) has been used for centuries as an antimicrobial to kill bacteria. Widely used in Medical, Cosmetics and Consumer applications.
Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) is widely used as photocatalytic disinfecting material for surface coatings. It’s been approved by FDA for uses in human food, drugs, cosmetics and food packaging.
How to prove Antimicrobial Activity?
One of the most commonly requested, quick and reliable antimicrobial tests (hard surfaces like plastics and glass) for antibacterial activity and efficacy is JIS Z 2801.
JIS Z 2801 is the Japan Industrial Standard established in 2000 as “Antibacterial products –Test for antibacterial activity and efficacy”. Afterwards the JIS Z 2801 was adopted as the ISO 22196 (Plastic -Measurement of antibacterial activity on plastics surfaces).
For EU countries, all biocidal products imported from outside the EU territory require an authorization before they can be placed on the market. And the active substances contained in that biocidal product must be previously approved by ECHA (European Chemicals Agency).
Microbial solutions on displays
- Antimicrobial Glass [Ag embedded]
- Antimicrobial Film [Ag coated]
- Antimicrobial Film [ZnO absorbed]
For more information about these solutions please contact us at sales@eurocoincomponents.com.
