What is BioCote® Antimicrobial Technology?

BioCote® antimicrobial technology is an innovative approach that inhibits the growth of microorganisms on surfaces and products. It involves incorporating agents during manufacturing to disrupt the functions of these microbes, promoting more hygienic environments. BioCote® specialises in providing effective and durable antimicrobial solutions for various applications.

What are the Benefits of BioCote® Antimicrobial Technology?

BioCote® antimicrobial technology offers several advantages. By incorporating this technology into products, they stay fresher and cleaner for extended periods. The technology provides protection against odour-causing and staining microbes, such as bacteria and mould. This results in enhanced product durability and hygiene, ensuring a more pleasant and longer-lasting user experience.

How Effective is BioCote® Antimicrobial Technology?

BioCote® antimicrobial technology is highly effective against a wide range of microbes, including multi-drug resistant strains of bacteria, mould, and fungi. Its continuous action ensures there is no off switch, providing constant protection. In laboratory tests, BioCote® technology demonstrated an impressive 86% reduction in microbes within just 15 minutes, and an outstanding 99.99% reduction within 24 hours.

What Types of Bacteria does BioCote® Antimicrobial Technology Target?

BioCote® antimicrobial technology has undergone rigorous testing and has demonstrated efficacy against a wide range of bacteria, including common strains and even antibiotic-resistant variants. Prominent examples of bacteria that BioCote® technology effectively combats include MRSA, E. coli, Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Listeria, among others. These bacterial species are commonly found in various environments such as homes, hospitals, restaurants, offices, and schools, making BioCote® a valuable solution for creating reliable products that compliment cleaning regimes.

How Long does BioCote® Antimicrobial Technology Last?

At BioCote®, we ensure that products marketed as having antimicrobial properties retain those properties throughout their expected functional lifetime. Our technology is designed to be durable and reliable. Unlike additives that may wash off, wear away, degrade, or deplete over time, BioCote® technology remains effective without losing its efficacy.

We specifically supply additives that do not leach or actively leave the product they are applied to protect. In fact, our technology has been proven to be effective for up to 25 years, ensuring long-lasting antimicrobial protection for your products.

How Can BioCote® Antimicrobial Technology be Integrated Into a Product?

Integrating antimicrobial technology into a product involves carefully selecting suitable antimicrobial agents and incorporating them during manufacturing. Manufacturers can follow our Additive Specification Process to ensure compatibility and efficacy. This process includes rigorous testing, quality control, and compliance with regulatory standards, resulting in products with added protection against microbes and improved hygiene.

How does Silver Ion Technology Work?

Silver Ion Technology, specifically in the form of Silver form 1 & 2 composite compounds, provides excellent antimicrobial efficacy against a wide range of microbes. These compounds are integrated into most products and materials. The high efficacy and strong physical properties of Silver Ion Technology make it a versatile solution for inhibiting the growth of microorganisms, contributing to a cleaner product for a more hygienic environment.

Is BioCote® a ‘nano’ technology?

No, BioCote® antimicrobial technology is not a ‘nanotechnology’. BioCote® purposefully chooses not to use any form of nanotechnology in its antimicrobial additives because of concerns regarding the ecological profile and environmental fate of materials containing this type of technology.

Regulations differ globally. The EU enforces strict rules under the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR). Great Britain follows the GB Biocidal Products Regulation (GB BPR). In the US, biocidal products require EPA registration. Other regions, such as Asia and South America, have varying approval processes and safety standards. These regulations aim to ensure that biocidal products, when used correctly, do not harm people, animals, or the environment.

A biocidal product is designed specifically to control microorganisms like bacteria or mould directly, such as disinfectants or surface sprays. An article is considered a biocidal product if its primary function is biocidal, meaning the biocidal action cannot be removed without fundamentally altering its purpose or intended use. If the biocidal action can be removed and the article remains usable for its intended non-biocidal purpose, it is classified as a treated article.

Are all BioCote® Antimicrobial Additives Silver-Based?

BioCote® offers a diverse range of antimicrobial additives that incorporate various active ingredients. While silver is one of the active ingredients used, we also utilize other substances such as zinc, phenolic biocides, quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC or QUAT), and fungicides (IPBC). With this extensive selection, BioCote® ensures a suitable antimicrobial additive is available for every customer application. Rest assured, we are committed to providing you with the most suitable solution for your product’s antimicrobial needs.

How Fast-Acting is BioCote®?

While BioCote® antimicrobial technology may not act as swiftly as cleaning chemicals, it still demonstrates impressive results. On a BioCote® protected antimicrobial product, you can anticipate significant reductions in microbial presence within a span of just 15 minutes. In as little as two hours, the technology can achieve up to a 99% reduction in microbes. It’s important to note that while cleaning chemicals may provide rapid effects, their impact is often short-lived. In contrast, BioCote® antimicrobial technology operates continuously and over the long term, ensuring that products remain consistently hygienic.

Will BioCote® Antimicrobial Additives Change my Product or the Way it is Manufactured?

No, BioCote® antimicrobial additives are designed to be compatible with a diverse range of materials and manufacturing processes. These additives are formulated to deliver exceptional antimicrobial performance without altering the product’s appearance or mechanical properties in any manner. At BioCote®, we understand the importance of maintaining the integrity of your product. Therefore, we provide tailored additive recommendations that align with your unique manufacturing process, ensuring a seamless integration of antimicrobial features into your product.

Which Materials Benefit from BioCote® Antimicrobial Technology?

BioCote® antimicrobial technology offers versatility in treating a wide range of materials. We take pride in our capability to provide antimicrobial protection for various materials, including polymers, general industrial paints (both wet and powder forms), natural and synthetic fabrics, as well as specialty coatings and inks. With BioCote®, you can effectively incorporate antimicrobial properties into your desired materials. Additionally, our premium quality antimicrobial additives can be applied at low addition rates, ensuring cost-effectiveness and preventing your new product feature from becoming cost prohibitive.

Do BioCote® Antimicrobial Products Need Cleaning?

Yes, even though BioCote® antimicrobial products are designed to reduce microbes on the surface, cleaning remains essential. While BioCote® effectively kills microbes, it does not remove dirt. Cleaning is necessary to eliminate dirt, grease, and oil that may hinder our technology from reaching the microbes on the surface. By maintaining good cleaning practices, you ensure the optimal performance of BioCote® antimicrobial protection.

Although BioCote® keeps products hygienically cleaner for longer, it is essential to understand that our technology is not a substitute for regular cleaning. Combining BioCote® antimicrobial protection with proper cleaning practices provides a powerful defence against damaging microbes, contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment.

Do BioCote® Antimicrobial Products Have to be Treated Differently?

No, BioCote® antimicrobial products can be used just like any other non-antimicrobial product. The incorporation of BioCote® antimicrobial technology does not require any special treatment or usage considerations. You can use these products in the same way as you would use non-antimicrobial ones.

Cleaning BioCote® antimicrobial products is also straightforward, as they do not demand any special cleaning techniques or the use of specific chemicals. You can clean them using standard cleaning methods suitable for the respective materials.

Will BioCote® Antimicrobial Technology Stop Cross-Contamination?

No, BioCote® antimicrobial technology cannot completely eliminate cross-contamination. However, it plays a crucial role in mitigating the potential risks associated with microbial cross-contamination between product surfaces.

Is Antimicrobial Technology Effective Against Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria?

Extensive testing has shown that BioCote® remains effective against a growing list of multi-drug resistant bacteria. Our technology undergoes rigorous approval processes, which helps limit resistance by reducing the number of microbes that can survive contact with the treated surfaces.

What Is An Antimicrobial Coating?

An antimicrobial coating is a specialised treatment applied to various surfaces for different purposes. These coatings can come in various forms, such as gloss or matte finishes, paints, inks, and high-performance coatings with scratch-resistant properties. The key feature that distinguishes antimicrobial coatings is the incorporation of antimicrobial agents to protect the coating.

The antimicrobial agents in these coatings are specifically added to resist damage caused by microbes, which can lead to issues like staining or weakening of the coating. By integrating antimicrobial properties into the coating, it provides an added layer of defence, promoting a cleaner and more hygienic surface with enhanced durability.

Antimicrobial coatings are particularly beneficial in environments where maintaining a hygienic and long-lasting surface is crucial, such as in healthcare facilities, food processing plants, and other high-traffic areas where microbial contamination is a concern.

Are All Antimicrobial Products The Same?

There are many different kinds of antimicrobials, each with a specific function. Some examples of ‘an antimicrobial’ include antibiotics that you take while you’re ill or an antibacterial soap you wash your hands with. Whilst these antimicrobials may perform a similar function, they are all very different to the technologies BioCote® supply. If you were to add a penicillin to plastics when moulding a water bottle, it is unlikely to deliver any kind of hygienic protection.

BioCote® additives are formulated to be introduced to materials, such as plastic or coatings, during the manufacture to give that material ‘built-in’ antimicrobial properties. The protection is permanent and will certainly last the expected functional lifetime of the product – it may even extend it.

What Is An Antimicrobial Product?

An antimicrobial product contains an active ingredient that protects it from microbial growth. Legally known as ‘treated articles,’ BioCote® customers manufacture products with primary functions, such as chairs or phone cases. The antimicrobial property enhances the product’s purpose and protects it from microbial damage, providing a longer-lasting and more hygienic experience.

What Types of Antimicrobial Additives Are There?

BioCote® provides a wide variety of antimicrobial additives, each utilizing different active ingredients. This diversity ensures we have a suitable solution for every customer’s specific application. Our active ingredients include silver, zinc, and organics like phenolic biocides, quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC or QUAT), and fungicides (IPBC).

Are Antimicrobial Fabrics Safe?

Absolutely. At BioCote®, we prioritize the safety of our antimicrobial additives. All our supplied additives have obtained the essential global regulatory approvals and are specifically designed for their intended applications. BioCote® holds prestigious approvals from regulatory bodies like the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and EFSA (European Food Safety Authority). Moreover, our additives have undergone rigorous testing and received accreditation from HACCP International, ensuring their safety for direct contact with food and water. With BioCote®, you can trust that our antimicrobial additives are both effective and safe for use.

Does Integrating a Taggant Change the Performance of The Antimicrobial Additive?

The manufacturing process is the same as incorporating a non-taggant antimicrobial, and the performance of the antimicrobial additive remains unchanged. The taggant simply gives the antimicrobial product its own identifiable marker.

How Does The Taggant Work?

The taggant consists of micro-colour code particles, which are invisible to the naked eye without the use of a fluorescent detector. The micro-colour code particles act as a “fingerprint” for the antimicrobial additive in a product, providing clients with the guarantee that the antimicrobial technology is integrated. It also provides protection from fraud and piracy as products can be clearly identified. The micro-colour code particles are so small that they can only be detected under a microscope and would require specialist equipment to be altered or replicated.

How Do You Confirm That Taggant and Antimicrobial Additives are Integrated?

When a taggant is present, it can be picked up with a taggant detector, a small hand-held device, which gives off either an acoustic or fluorescent signal. Since the only source of taggant is from the antimicrobial additive, the proof of taggant presence is synonymous with the presence of antimicrobial technology.

What are The Benefits of Using a Taggant?

Protected products can’t be distinguished visually from a non-protected product because integrating antimicrobial additives does not affect the final look and feel of products. The taggant offers an additional way of showing customers that products have been treated and therefore allows them to make informed decisions when choosing products.

Taggant technology provides valuable benefits to antimicrobial products, offering verification of antimicrobial presence, safeguarding against counterfeiting and piracy, enhancing product liability protection, enabling transparent consumer choices, ensuring efficient quality control, and tracking, and allowing easy detection with non-visible integration. This technology assures consumers of the presence and effectiveness of antimicrobial additives while enabling manufacturers to protect their brand reputation and deliver genuine antimicrobial protection.

What is a Taggant?

The taggant is blended in with the antimicrobial additive by BioCote®, meaning that when the antimicrobial additive is added into a client’s product at the manufacturing stage, the taggant will automatically be added as well. The antimicrobial additive can be supplied in both powder or pellet form with any of the products we offer.