The sustainable impact of antimicrobial technology

James Rapley, product development engineer, Microban, delves into the sustainable impact of antimicrobial technology.

Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) pose a serious and growing threat, putting staff and patients at risk and incurring significant costs. For example, 653,000 HCAIs were reported among 13.8 million adult in-patients in the NHS from 2016-2017, of which 22,800 patients died as a direct consequence. 

In hospitals, the main sources of microorganisms are patients’ own microbiota, and the hands of healthcare workers, patients and visitors. Additionally, high-touch plastic surfaces – such as medical weighing scales, clinical workstations, hospital carts, dispensing cabinets and even chairs – can contribute to the chain of microbial transmission, by acting as reservoirs on which transferred bacteria can survive and multiply. 

Similarly, waiting rooms and corridors are prone to contamination with dirt and debris, and microbes may also enter healthcare facilities on shoes, clothes, and even personal electronic devices. Policies that implement regimented hand washing and thorough, frequent disinfection of all surfaces are crucial to help prevent unwanted bacterial growth, but compliance tends to be suboptimal, and surfaces are quickly re-contaminated by dirty hands. 

Tackling an unseen problem 

Bacterial growth on plastic products in a medical setting can also cause staining, discolouration, structural damage or even odours, creating an unpleasant environment for patients and healthcare professionals. Deterioration causes items to be thrown away prematurely, adding to the environmental burden of the healthcare sector and incurring extra costs in terms of replacement goods.  

Healthcare providers are therefore seeking out new ways to combat these issues, including implementing proactive measures to maintain a clean medical environment and reduce the volume of waste generated by the industry. 

Regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces is crucial to protect items from the growth of potentially harmful bacteria, however, standard disinfectants retain limited residual activity after application. Built-in antimicrobial technologies can be used in conjunction with regular cleaning practices to prevent the proliferation of damaging bacteria on plastic goods in healthcare settings, preserving their usability. 

These antimicrobial formulations can be seamlessly engineered into polymer products during manufacture using standard coating processes – such as injection moulding and extrusion – and into coatings and paints via spraying, roll-to-roll or dip application methods. They therefore become an integral part of the molecular structure of the polymer, and work around the clock to help inhibit the growth of bacteria without the risk of washing off or wearing away.  

This ‘always on’ technology has been shown to maintain a consistently lower bio-burden than would be expected on a product without built-in antimicrobial protection. In fact, studies have shown that built-in antimicrobial treatments can inhibit the growth of both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria – including antibiotic-resistant MRSA, E.coli and VRE – by up to 99.9%. 

A proactive approach to microbial control 

Sustainability initiatives for antimicrobial technologies have stressed the importance of features like biocompatibility and biostability in recent years, making water-based antimicrobial coatings that contain fewer volatile organic compounds increasingly appealing to manufacturers.  

These novel coatings, such as LapisShield by Microban, provide long-lasting protection for water-based coatings, and can be applied to a broad spectrum of substrates. The active ingredient in LapisShield works by disrupting the bacteria’s internal enzymes to block metabolic pathways and create an inhospitable environment that interrupts reproduction. Additionally, the technology is free from heavy metals, and is registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the EU Biocidal Products Regulation, making sustainable antimicrobial water-based coatings more accessible to healthcare equipment manufacturers around the world. 

Traditionally, in-can antimicrobial technologies have been employed to improve the shelf life of solvent-based coatings during storage, but the benefits of these formulations are minimal once the solution has dried, once again leaving the product vulnerable to attack by microbes. Therefore, long-lasting antimicrobial chemistries, such as Ascera, are vital to improve coating durability.  

Ascera has been specifically designed for use in a range of moulded polymers, solvent-based coatings and paints. Ascera interferes with bacterial cell membrane permeability, hindering nutrition absorption and conversion processes to inhibit cell proliferation and survival. The additive is completely free from heavy metals, and contains an ingredient inspired by nature, serving as an effective yet more eco-friendly antimicrobial solution than heavy metal-based options.  

These well-established chemistries function as an adjunct to a regular cleaning schedule, providing a more comprehensive and proactive method of maintaining surface cleanliness for the entire lifetime of a product, even after extensive use. Both formulations help to prevent the accumulation of bacteria that could damage goods in healthcare environments, extending the usable lifespan of a range of items and preventing unnecessary disposal.  

For instance, incorporating antimicrobial technologies into the base material of nebulisers, aspirators, and other breathing devices – or even on coatings covering these machines – can help to keep these essential plastic products cleaner and functional for longer. Adding these chemistries into toileting and bath safety products – including commodes, shower chairs, raised toilet seats, and grab rails – can help to protect them from degradation caused by mould and mildew, so that they can continue to provide users on a continuum of care with independence.  

These technologies also reduce the need for aggressive deep cleaning with strong chemicals and copious water and energy, playing a substantial role in enhancing the sustainability of the healthcare sector as a whole.  

A cleaner, greener outlook 

Incorporating antimicrobial additives into plastic clinical surfaces and products at the point of manufacture is an integral part of ongoing plans to enhance cleanliness in healthcare environments. In fact, the healthcare segment accounted for 26% of the overall global revenue share of the antimicrobial additives market in 2021, and is expected to experience the fastest annual growth rate in the years leading up to 2030.  

New antimicrobial technologies for polymers – which are easy to incorporate, aesthetically pleasing, highly functional and free from heavy metals – hold enormous potential for transforming the definition of clean in healthcare and provide much-needed peace of mind for staff and patients alike.  

On top of this, built-in antimicrobials are valuable tools for promoting sustainability and building a circular economy in the medical sector, with technologies for polymers, solvent-based coatings and paints paving the way for this industry-wide green transition.