Built-in antimicrobial protection for plastic homeware products

The versatility of plastic has made it a common part of everyday life, from home appliances and food packaging to retail fittings and consumer electronics. However, it also takes an enormous toll on the environment. Over the last 50 years, 79 percent of plastic waste has accumulated in landfills, a great deal of which is food packaging. Thankfully, global attitudes are moving away from single-use plastics, with consumers seeking more durable, environmentally friendly packaging alternatives. This presents an issue for the food industry, where disposal of plastic containers is often unavoidable, as they become prime hotspots for degrading bacterial growth. This article discusses how built-in antimicrobial protection can contribute to overcoming this challenge, helping manufacturers to produce cleaner and more sustainable plastic packaging.

Reusable plastic food containers are an excellent idea but, if inadequately cleaned, they provide the ideal surface for microbial colonies, which can survive and grow using leftover food residues as a source of nutrients. Plastics can also contain high levels of plasticisers – another carbon-rich food source for bacteria and fungi – which may leave them particularly susceptible to microbes. On top of that, the plastics manufacturing industry has transitioned from using synthetic, phthalate-based plasticisers to plant-derived alternatives, which are often seen as the ‘green’ option. The downside of using plant-sourced plasticisers – such as the epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO) found in some PVC food packaging – is that these are potentially even more prone to microbial attack. The challenge for manufacturers of plastic food packaging is therefore to produce containers that remain visibly cleaner, to encourage increasingly hygiene-conscious consumers to reuse them.

Manufacturers are constantly looking to identify opportunities for innovation, responding to changes in global legislation that are positioning product design at the forefront of sustainability initiatives. Incorporating antimicrobial chemistries into plastic packaging is a perfect example of this, as these actively inhibit the growth of bacteria by disrupting their life processes and biological functions. Microban International, a world leader in built-in antimicrobial solutions, offers food-contact approved technologies that are integrated into plastic products during manufacturing, becoming part of the molecular structure of the packaging, so that it cannot wash off or wear away. This ‘always active’ component continues to provide 24/7 protection for the expected lifetime of the material, minimising the presence of bacteria that can degrade the plastic, or leave stains and odours, and resisting the growth of moulds and mildews. The quality and aesthetics of the material are preserved, keeping food packaging cleaner, fresher and more durable for longer, ensuring an increased lifespan and helping to reduce plastic waste.

Integrating built-in antimicrobials in this way is already helping to address the demand for smarter and more sustainable packaging, and encouraging consumers to invest in long-lasting, reusable alternatives to single-use plastics. Microban offers manufacturers a choice of more than 25 approved additives that can be formulated into polymer pellets, powders or liquids for use in existing manufacturing processes. These can be integrated without affecting surface finish, colour, durability or resistance to cleaning solvents. Importantly, the active biocidal components are notified with the EU Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) and registered with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Additionally, selected formulations are listed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and permitted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in food-contact applications.

Putting theory into practice

Bacteria and other microbes, including moulds and mildews, can thrive in our homes, growing and multiplying on high-touch items and food contact surfaces. In the past, most consumers probably gave little thought to whether or not plastic homeware products used on a daily basis offered any degree of antimicrobial protection. Such products would simply be used, cleaned and put away for the next time they were required. The COVID-19 pandemic made everyone acutely aware of the role that microorganisms play, and how easy it is to unwittingly transfer them between surfaces. The need for frequent surface cleaning remains at the forefront of many people’s minds, but common disinfectants are only a short-term solution.

At the same time, there was a growing consumer awareness around the environmental consequences of plastic pollution, with many looking for more durable and sustainable products that don’t need to be disposed of as frequently; microorganisms that grow on plastic surfaces can simultaneously create visible discoloration, odours and damage that leads to early product degradation and premature disposal. This has led consumers to seek out food containers and other plastic products with antibacterial protection rather than conventional products, benefiting from peace of mind that they will remain cleaner and fresher for longer. As a result, new opportunities have arisen for manufacturers of plastic homeware, as they look to meet the demand for kitchenware that is both cleaner and more sustainable.

As the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, this concern has been addressed head-on through a partnership between Microban International and JCP Plastic, an award-winning Thai manufacturer of plastic homeware products. JCP Plastic has successfully incorporated innovative Microban® technology into a range of kitchenware products at the point of manufacture, providing 24/7 protection against the growth of microbes to improve the durability and cleanliness of its homeware. This partnership combines JCP’s decades of experience in the manufacture of plastic homeware – such as kitchenware, water bottles and home storage containers – with Microban’s in-depth understanding of antimicrobial chemistries that can be efficiently incorporated into plastic materials during manufacture. The result is a range of plastic products that are resistant to stains and odours caused by bacteria, and remain hygienically cleaner and fresher in between cleans.

The antimicrobial technology is integrated during the manufacturing process to become an intrinsic feature of the plastic, protecting the product from the growth of harmful bacteria by up to 99.9 %. As a result, the likelihood of bacterial cross-contamination between surfaces is reduced, giving consumers confidence in the cleanliness provided. This plastic homeware is more sustainable too, as long-lasting and proactive protection against microorganisms also improves product durability, extending its functional lifetime and reducing the need for premature disposal and frequent replacement.

The way of the future

Manufacturers across many sectors are increasingly turning to built-in antimicrobial technologies, and it seems likely that the incorporation of antibacterial qualities into plastics used for food containers will ultimately become the norm. This is already the situation in Japan, where most food containers now feature antibacterial properties as standard. But plastic containers are just the start, as customers are also seeking antimicrobial protection in other food contact items, such as knives and chopping boards, opening up a whole new market for kitchenware manufacturers.

The importance of working with a trusted partner cannot be underestimated, since regulations concerning antimicrobial protection vary across the world and from industry to industry, as well as according to different customers’ requirements. It is highly advantageous to choose a global partner with experience in tried and tested antimicrobial chemistries, as well as international registrations with agencies such as the BPR and EPA, to safeguard compliance without compromising product quality.

Discover more at K 2022

Microban International will be showcasing its new line of sustainable technologies at K 2022, the world’s biggest plastics exhibition, in Düsseldorf, Germany, from 19-26 October. Visit Microban at Booth C24 in Hall 7A.