Antiviral Coatings for PVC: How to Stay Safe in 2021 and Beyond

Scientists and governing bodies across the globe have predicted that the Covid-19 pandemic will continue to affect life as we know it through 2021 and beyond. This, however, does not mean to say that we’ll be stuck in lockdowns for the foreseeable future. What it means is, despite the virus potentially re-emerging on an annual basis, we can still return to a ‘normal’ way of life if the correct measures are put in place. This of course means vaccinating a large proportion of the population, but it also means finding ways to live within a more controlled environment. Improving hand hygiene is one way to do this, however the level of protection this provides cannot be quantified and is subject to individuals’ personal hygiene.

What’s the solution to improving hygiene?

In a world where hygiene is now paramount, considering the types of materials we use is important. PVC can be applied as a coating for a number of applications such as automotive interior trim, flooring and handle grips for tools. This material is ideal for keeping fabric and surfaces as hygienic as possible during the pandemic and beyond.

Why are PVC coatings ideal for surfaces during and post-Covid?

1. It’s very easy to clean and maintain – the smooth surface of a PVC coating makes it harder for germs and bacteria to build up.
2. It’s highly durable and can withstand a high level of wear and tear, alongside rigorous and regular cleaning.
3. It’s resistant to the growth of mould and mildew.
4. But, most importantly, PVC coatings at PolyBlend can be manufactured with antiviral technology..

What does Antiviral technology mean?

The innovative creation is a range of polymer solutions known as PB-Protect plastisol. Polyblend’s recent collaboration with Biomaster enables us to incorporate world-leading antiviral and antimicrobial technology into any of our custom formulated plastisol products as part of our new PB-Protect range.

PB-Protect polymer solutions incorporate the additive at a critical point during the plastisol manufacturing process to ensure it is active and locked-in to the polymer matrix. This means that any virus coming into contact with the protected surface will be reduced by 95%, significantly decreasing the risk of such virus being transmitted from person to person. What’s more, these additives last for the functional lifetime of the product or surface and are still 100% effective despite harsh chemicals, adverse weather conditions or rigorous cleaning.

At PolyBlend, we believe that in order to provide guaranteed protection for the world at large, antiviral additives should be incorporated into products and commonly touched surfaces where possible. Given the widespread applications of PVC in today’s society, this is the ideal material to be formulated with this form of protection.

Please do reach out if you would like to discuss making your products antiviral with our specialty range of PVC plastisols.

Alternatively, you can read our blogs why make your products antiviral? and how antiviral products can help to support sustainability. For any further information you can also request a brochure here.

FAQs

What are antiviral coatings?

Literally every single product made with standard PVC can also be made as Antiviral or Antimicrobial. The plastisol is a range of speciality, premium-grade plastisol’s which can now be manufactured as antiviral and/or antimicrobial to produce PVC or Acrylic coatings. PVC coatings offer innovative solutions to make surface coatings hygienic through viral & bacterial product protection, whilst complimenting existing cleaning protocols.

What products can be antiviral coated?

Flooring products, product surfaces and any moulded products.

Can I use antiviral coatings in bathrooms?

Yes, antiviral coatings can provide an excellent solution to help prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses in bathrooms.

Can I use antiviral in school desks?

Yes, if it can be specified by the manufacturer and help to further reduce the spread of bacteria in schools.

Neil Platt

www.linkedin.com/in/neil-a-platt

Supporting PolyBlend UK ltd with systems management,  polymer and colour solutions | Systems Manager | Polyblend UK LTD