Canadian Finishing & Coatings Manufacturing Magazine March/April 2022 - 16

INDUSTRIAL FINISHING: MEDICAL COATINGS
site or during the recovery period. As a result, several medical
antimicrobial coatings are used to create a surface that is
resistant to bacteria.
In a general sense, using a medical coating can be beneficial
in any situation where the spread of microorganisms or sickness
is a concern, which is at the forefront of our minds having gone
through the COVID19 pandemic in the last two years. Whether
a sanitary solution is required in a public restroom or end-users
need to be protected in a food processing facility, an antimicrobial
coating is a simple and efficient option. Therefore, antimicrobial
coatings are particularly popular in the healthcare and medical
industries, where they are employed in various applications.
We looked into PPG to better understand the products in the
medical coating sector that are currently in the market.
PPG's SilverSan is a powder coating that has been specially
formulated with silver ionic technology to provide antimicrobial
protection. The powder coating slowly releases silver ions,
which helps protect the cured paint film from the growth of
microbes that can cause damage to coated surfaces. Even if the
surface has been subjected to wear and exposure to the elements,
the level of protection against microbiological development
remains consistent. PPG's SilverSan antimicrobial-protected
powder coatings are available in various colours. They may be
used with any PPG resin chemistry (epoxy, hybrid or polyester).
The SilverSan prevents the build-up of germs on coated surfaces
that causes discoloration, bad smells, degradation/corrosion.
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Additional benefits include that PPG's SilverSan powder
coatings are highly durable and resistant to high temperatures
(they have been tested up to 100 degrees Celsius).
The US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) states that
pesticides are used to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate any pest
ranging from insects and animals to weeds to microorganisms
such as bacteria and viruses. Silver is a pesticide that has been
registered with the United States Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA). A minimal amount of antimicrobial is applied
to the treated surface to offer mould and mildew resistance
on the paint layer and hinder the growth of stain and odourcausing
bacteria that may be present on or near the coating's
surface. The use of these products does not protect food-borne
or disease-causing bacteria, viruses, germs, or other diseasecausing
organisms for the consumers of any such treated goods
or anyone else.
Although limitations are being relaxed in North America,
COVID-19 remains a harmful virus with several variants that
is not likely to be vanquished anytime soon. Because of this,
there is a growing desire for medical coatings that will safeguard
us as a society. Research and funding appear to be on a steady
upward trend in this direction. However, caution and cost
considerations will be necessary for this endeavour. Without a
doubt, these items will be the subject of a meaningful transition
as market and consumer knowledge improve and the demand
drives new potential for technological advancement.
http://www.cfcm.ca
Canadian Finishing & Coatings Manufacturing Magazine March/April 2022

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