James Cropper unveils Biomaster antiviral paper packaging amid COVID-19 transmission concerns
23 Dec 2020 --- UK-based paper products group James Cropper is promoting its antiviral packaging technology, PaperGard, as a customizable solution for industry in 2021 after tests showed the paper reduces COVID-19’s viability by 95 percent.
If the virus’ microbes land on Cropper’s packaging’s surface, silver ions added to the paper prevent them from growing. Within two hours, the virus’ viability is destroyed by 99.9 percent.
Respiratory viruses can be transmitted where someone touches a contaminated surface. Cropper points to recent studies suggesting COVID-19 can remain viable on metal, glass, wood, textiles, plastic and paper surfaces from several hours to a number of days.
PaperGard is designed to give paper products the ability to “self-sanitize” without affecting the appearance or performance of the paper itself.
Clean packaging
Richard Bracewell, marketing and technical director at Cropper, says the virus has raised consumer demand for assurances over packaging hygiene.
Cropper says its customizable paper packaging can deliver on hygiene without sacrificing aesthetics.Moreover, he asserts traditional preventive sanitation methods are insufficient in combating the spread of such viruses.
“It is often impractical to use disinfectants and even soap and water. In these situations, the PaperGard protected paper, with its antimicrobial technology, limits contamination of the paper surface while maintaining the qualities of the paper.”
“[PaperGard] addresses the increased demand for hygienic surfaces. The silver ions present within the paper continually effectively control surface contamination for the lifetime of the product and maintain the integrity of the paper.”
Cropper’s survey conducted in October shows over three quarters (77 percent) of Britons now consider the hygiene of the products and packaging they interact with. Almost half (45 percent) believe those concerns for safety and hygiene will remain after the pandemic.
Silver ion technology: How does it work?
Cropper uses an antimicrobial product branded Biomaster by Addmaster, used in products ranging from healthcare and piping to food packaging.
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.
Product surfaces are then protected against the bacteria. Biomaster works against COVID-19 and viruses such as e.coli, norovirus, feline coronavirus, salmonella and legionella.
Biomaster is formulated into packaging materials, rather than on them, and can be done at any point in the manufacturing process, says the company.
The solution allows packaging to maintain its appearance, proving that “there need not be a compromise of hygiene over beauty in the paper products available to brands.” 
Cropper’s integration of Biomaster antimicrobial solution into paper packaging ensures the virus is destroyed by up to 95% within 15 minutes.
Protecting the packaging sector
Cropper joins several other industry efforts to defend packaging against COVID-19 and other viruses.
Despite the World Health Organization (WHO) assertions that COVID-19 spreading through packaging is “highly unlikely,” public hygiene concerns continue to rise, presenting opportunities for packaging innovation.
US-based Designsake, a creative agency, unveiled its antimicrobial coated packaging dubbed Matter, which also uses silver ion technology.
Matter is approved by both the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is entirely recyclable.
The product’s creators assert that, despite WHO advice, the transmission of viruses on packaging surfaces is “real.”
Ink supplier Siegwerk similarly began creating packaging using an antimicrobial solution branded Lock 3, made available throughout the EMEA region.
Edited
By Louis Gore-Langton
