A much-anticipated revolution in sustainable preservation innovation is beginning , say Dr Rick Strittmatter , chief technology & innovation officer , and Dr Hannah Griffiths , technology & innovation senior strategy leader , of Arxada *
Marine anti-fouling coatings help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Innovation in microbial control : The golden age is dawning
A much-anticipated revolution in sustainable preservation innovation is beginning , say Dr Rick Strittmatter , chief technology & innovation officer , and Dr Hannah Griffiths , technology & innovation senior strategy leader , of Arxada *
Microbial control is essential to the health and well-being of people , society and the planet . It is an essential science for a healthier and a more environmentally responsible future and it takes many different forms :
• Disinfectants and sanitisers protect us from harmful pathogens and viruses in hospitals and healthcare settings , and from pathogens in our food supply and water infrastructure , as well as on our hands and surrounding surfaces
• Preservatives protect cosmetics and personal care products from harmful and infectious contamination , home care products from spoilage by potentially harmful organisms , and supply chains from costly , unsustainable and wasteful product recalls
• Fungicides protect crops from attack , building materials and coatings from early defacement and degradation , and provide personal hygiene to consumers , such as anti-dandruff and anti-acne
• Anti-bacterial agents protect hard and soft surfaces and materials from microbial contamination and degradation , including wound dressings and medical devices , textiles and plastics , plus a wide variety of hospitality and institutional environments
• Marine antifouling ( MAF ) coatings plays a critical role in reducing greenhouse gas ( GHG ) emissions and in preventing the spread of invasive species across continents
• Wood protection technology enables the effective use of a renewable resource while reducing the impact of deforestation
Drivers of innovation
While the benefits of effective microbial control are clear and established , the landscape of available products is entering a period of rapid change . Typically , industry observers point to ever tightening regulatory pressures , resulting in fewer globally approved biocidal active substances , as the source of change and driver of innovation . Paired with reduced globally accepted
34 SPECIALITY CHEMICALS MAGAZINE ESTABLISHED 1981