New additive claims to prevent bacteria proliferation on plastic surfaces

Polymer compounding specialist Benvic’s new additive, which claims to be able to prevent bacteria proliferation on any kind of plastic surface, could offer advantages during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Benvic’s biopolymer range, Plantura, consists of an extensive range of PLA compounds for compostable and durable use. Benvic currently supplies many filament producers and has boosted its support to these companies during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Additive Manufacturing (AM) has proven to be an excellent way to make medical products instantly, and in a decentralised manner. AM can be undertaken using various polymer grades, however, the biopolymer PLA is the most commonly used in practice and is very well adapted to manufacturing from smaller machines.

The Benvic Plantura range includes both rigid and soft materials that can be used by any filament maker or by any extruder. Additionally, Benvic has developed technology that allows these polymer compounds to benefit from bacteriostatic properties. Benvic’s new additive claims to be able to prevent bacteria proliferation on any kind of plastic surface, particularly for those which are expected to be in contact with body skin.

The bacteriostatic polymer has been tested according to the international quality standards, ISO22196 and ISO 846, and can also be provided as masterbatch or compound for thermoplastic polymers.

Camilla Bortolon, account manager for the Plantura product range, commented: “We have developed this new material with our filament partner, and within quite a short time for an end-customer in Italy who is print protecting masks.

“Such masks are customised in line with the user morphology which is only made possible via the 3D printing process. Our new materials can make these masks reusable simply by changing the filter. In this way we can optimise resources in order to fight the virus.”