RTP Company: The Global Leader in Specialty Compounding

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RTP Company Partners with Biosafe to Market Silane-based Antimicrobial Additive Masterbatches

Winona, Minn., USA — RTP Company, a specialty thermoplastics compounder, announced that it has entered into an exclusive sales and manufacturing agreement with Biosafe Inc., of Pittsburgh, PA, to use their silane-based antimicrobial technology in RTP Company's expanded line of antimicrobial products. The patented silane-based concentrate can be used as an additive masterbatch in a variety of extrusion and injection molding processes.

According to Jean Sirois, General Manager RTP Color, the silane-based technology which renders plastics inherently antimicrobial is more cost-effective and faster-acting than silver-based additives without discoloration. "The active ingredient in these antimicrobial masterbatches only needs to be at a 0.25-0.5% loading in the final product to be effective, making it much more competitive, safe and efficient than traditional antimicrobials such as silver or triclosan. Unlike silver, which can cause yellowing or tarnishing, silane-based antimicrobials improve colorability. And, they do not compromise optical properties when used with high-clarity resins."

Silane-based additives provide permanent protection against staining and degradation caused by bacteria, fungi, mold, mildew and algae that can cause odor, discoloration, biofouling and other aesthetic problems. "These antimicrobial masterbatches work by physically puncturing and rupturing the cell wall to inhibit microbial growth," explained David Dodds, Market Manager at RTP Company. "By comparison, conventional antimicrobials kill by leaching into the cell, where they are metabolized and interfere with critical life processes. This can cause microorganisms to mutate and adapt, becoming resistant to the antimicrobial. Silane-based products avoid this problem and have been used in the medical community for decades in next-to-skin and next-to-wound areas proving effective against a broad range of microbes. It is FDA listed as a modifier to medical devices."

A key benefit of the RTP Company antimicrobial products are the low toxicity of the active biocide. It will not leach or off-gas into the environment and is not absorbed by any organisms or human beings. And, because the biocide is chemically bonded to the polymer, it is highly durable and does not lose effectiveness over time. Silane-based products provide an environmentally sustainable means of prolonging the useful life of consumer and industrial products. They contain no volatile organic compounds, heavy metals, arsenic, or polychlorinated phenols. "The active ingredient in the RTP Company products complies with both EPA guidelines, and the USP Pharmacopeia test for non-cytotoxicity," added Sirois.

Silane-based antimicrobial additive masterbatches from RTP Company

Typical addition levels for silane-based masterbatch products are between 2% and 3% to impart the desired effect into the host polymer. They are used at the normal processing temperature of the polymer and are available for applications in PUR, PBT, PET, POM, PC, PA, PVC, TPE and other resin systems. According to Sirois, they may also be suitable in certain specific applications in PE, PP and ABS, "although more testing and trials are underway to improve performance in these polymers."

RTP Company antimicrobial additive masterbatches are the safe, more economical, and easier to color solution for top performance in protecting plastic products from being attacked by all sorts of bacteria. They are ideal for extending life-cycles and improving aesthetics in a wide range of markets such as public transportation, athletic equipment, personal care items, business machines, medical devices, automotive and housewares and more. Applications include injection-molded items, extruded sheet, films and profiles and extruded fiber.

For more information, contact RTP Company at 507-454-6900 or 800-433-4787, or e-mail rtp@rtpcompany.com.

About RTP Company
RTP Company, headquartered in Winona, Minnesota, is a global leader in specialty thermoplastic compounding. The company has eight manufacturing plants on three continents, plus sales representatives throughout North America, Europe, and Asia/Pacific. RTP Company's engineers develop custom compounds in over 60 different engineering resin systems for applications requiring color, conductive, elastomeric, flame retardant, high temperature, shielding, structural, and wear resistant properties.