US resins distributor Nexeo Plastics (The Woodlands, Texas; www.nexeoplastics.com) says it is collaborating with Ruspa Officine (Turin / Italy; www.ruspa.com) and Parx Materials (Rotterdam / The Netherlands; www.parxmaterials.com) to deliver new certified auto components with antiviral properties. Nexeo Plastics noted it had identified Parx Materials’ “Saniconcentrate” antimicrobial additive as a potential option for Ruspa, a manufacturer of vehicle equipment and components primarily operating in the public transport sector, which was finding it difficult to provide products with virus-protection properties.

According to Parx Materials, its “Saniconcentrate additives can achieve up to 99.9% effectiveness against bacteria and viruses and is the first line of products to offer proven efficacy against viruses, including coronaviruses and flu viruses, such as H1N1 and H3N2, when combined with various base materials, both for solid and textile surfaces.

The first vehicle part to be introduced with the additive is a seat-back table, which is expected to be followed by seats, footrests, armrests and handles. Nexeo said the products will be some of the first that provide antiviral capability to the car industry. “Today’s struggles against the Covid-19 pandemic and antibiotic-resistant superbugs show that innovation is needed when it comes to antimicrobial materials,” said Parx Materials’ CEO Michaël van der Jagt.

According to the companies, the additive-enhanced resin does not affect the injection moulding process or the product’s design aesthetics, and protects the components against viruses, bacteria, fungus and microbes for the product’s full lifespan.