With “Saniconcentrates”, Dutch-Italian start-up Parx Plastics (Rotterdam; www.parxplastics.com) has launched what it claims is the world's first biocompatible and non-toxic technology for mass-production of plastics with antibacterial properties. The company says its process uses no toxins or chemicals such as triclosan or heavy metals such as silver and also gets by without biocides, nano-particles, quaternary salts or any other harmful substances.

Parx Plastics, one of three finalists nominated by the EU to compete in the World Technology Awards, says the antimicrobial properties of plastics is achieved by making use of the human body’s most abundant trace elements, zinc. According to chief technology officer, Michele Fiori, by applying biomimetics and nanotechnology, the company has found a means of creating a mechanical-physical property that acts against bacteria and microorganisms. The surface of a product becomes hostile to bacteria by means of a mere physical and mechanical action, he says.

Full-scale production of materials said to contain 99% antimicrobial properties was begun recently at Parx Plastics’ plant in Bologna / Italy. The patented products include “Sani-ABS” and Saniconcentrates, the latter based on the “Tritan” copolyester of Eastman Chemical (Kingsport, Tennessee / USA; www.eastman.com).