Arjowiggins introduces antimicrobial surface treatment for paper in fight against coronavirus

06 Jul 2021 --- Scotland-based Arjowiggins is launching an antimicrobial surface treatment for paper products that inhibits the ability of bacteria and viruses to survive on packaging surfaces. 

The company is touting the technology’s ability to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by up to 93 percent within one hour.

However, there is no evidence of the virus transmitting on packaging materials, as confirmed by the US Food and Drug Administration, US Department of Agriculture and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in February.

Speaking to PackagingInsights, Gael Depres, R&D manager at Arjowiggins, says the company’s idea to develop an antimicrobial surface treatment for paper products came about at the start of the pandemic. 

“As a business, we wanted to play our part during the crisis and beyond.” 

Trialing Biomaster
In independent testing, a reduction in human Coronavirus was seen in just one hour. 

The new antimicrobial solution incorporates Biomaster, a silver-based antimicrobial technology, to proactively inhibit the growth of harmful microbes for the intended lifetime of the product or up to ten years.

Arjowiggins’ new antimicrobial solution is already available across its Security Papers range.Arjowiggins’ packaging can now incorporate Biomaster technology to prevent the spread of viruses.

The technology is also available across its full range of uncoated Creative Papers, including HP Indigo and dry toner products for digital printing. The surface treatment is compatible with all print techniques, including hot foil stamping.

The solution is added to paper products during manufacture to ensure particles are more concentrated at the paper's surface.

It then works to interrupt cell growth or deactivate microbes that come into contact with the product's surface.

Fighting viruses 
Testing carried out by the paper manufacturer showed its new antimicrobial technology inhibited bacterial growth, including MRSA and E.coli, by up to 99 percent over 24 hours. 

“The surface treatment is particularly beneficial where multiple people handle papers or where there is a risk of microbial propagation, in hygiene critical environments such as hospitals, classrooms and hospitality venues.”

It also offers added value for numerous applications, including packaging, delivery notes, medical prescriptions, restaurant menus, business cards and security papers for passports, ballot papers or cheques, says the company.

“We spoke to Addmaster, the UK’s leading additive specialist, about incorporating their Biomaster solution into our products. Once we realized this was feasible, testing was carried out to ensure the efficacy of the solution,” explains Depres.

Silver ion tech 
Antimicrobial packaging has seen a sharp rise in interest and innovation since the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.

Arjowiggins is not the first company to use Biomaster. Last year, UK-based paper specialist James Cropper released a line of antiviral packaging products using the solution.According to DS Smith, 57% of consumers wash their hands after touching e-commerce packages.

Biomaster works through the use of silver ions, which bind to bacteria’s cell walls and prevent cell growth. 

The ions interfere with enzyme production and stop the cells from producing energy while simultaneously interrupting DNA replication. 

Sandrine Garnier, managing director of Addmaster, the company behind Biomaster, explains the technology is a “powerful way of providing a long-lasting barrier against harmful bacteria. It works to reduce the microbial load on surfaces to make the product more hygienic and can be used very effectively in conjunction with cleaning regimes.”

Antimicrobial tech spreading 
Last year, DS Smith and Touchguard developed a range of antimicrobial, e-commerce cardboard packaging to protect consumers against potentially harmful bacteria. 

DS Smith surveys identified growing retail and consumer interest in products with hygienic packaging amid pandemic-induced e-commerce surges and increased shipping box demand. 

With 57 percent of respondents saying they wash their hands thoroughly after touching e-commerce packages, the market for antimicrobial packaging is evidently ripe. 

The EU NanoPack project has also investigated a range of antimicrobial solutions for preventing food waste. 

By Louis Gore-Langton