Antimicrobial Acetals

The growing concern over bacterial contamination in many settings has led Ticona, the engineering polymers business of Celanese Corporation, to introduce Anti- Crobe™ Antimicrobial Polymers, a family of antimicrobial acetal copolymers (POM) that includes two injection molding grades and an extrusion grade. The line is targeted at applications calling for high-performance polymers in environments where heat, moisture and nutrients foster bacterial and fungal growth.

Evaluations of these grades, which are made with the company’s Hostaform® and Celcon® POMs, found they greatly inhibit microbial proliferation compared to conventional acetal.

“The advanced, inorganic antimicrobial formulation in these grades is present throughout the polymer matrix, not just on the surface, and does not migrate significantly,” says Davida Barrett, Technical Marketing. “This means that Anti-Crobe resins won’t abrade or scratch off, so they preserve product performance and service life by deterring bacteria and fungal attack that can cause odors, contamination, stains, biofilms and mechanical property loss.”

Anti-Crobe Antimicrobial Polymers comply with FDA regulations for direct food contact, meet the NSF 61 Potable Water standard and satisfy applicable EPA regulations. They are naturally white and can be tinted as needed. Anti-Crobe POMs are suitable for many end uses, especially in hard-to-clean wet areas and where polyolefins cannot meet performance specifications. Their possible applications include food processing, storage and handling systems, industrial gears in wet environments, and elements in water treatment plants.

For more information, contact Robert Shaw, Ticona, 8040 Dixie Highway Florence, KY 41042, 800-833-4882, E-mail: prodinfo@ticona.com, Web: www.ticona.com.