US-based Sherwin-Williams said this week it has added a silver-based antimicrobial protection layer to its its existing FasTop brand of polymer flooring.
"The silver-based antimicrobial in the FasTop floor coatings effectively protects the cured coating against a broad spectrum of bacteria and mold, and can be used for applications in food processing facilities and other industrial spaces where microbial growth can be problematic," the company stated.
The antimicorobial layer was developed by AgION Technology. FasTop is a seamless flooring product that can withstand the aggressive physical and chemical conditions found in food and pharmacutical plants, while making cleaning easier, Sherwin-Williams claimed.
"FasTop flooring systems install quickly and eliminate historic problems associated with impermeable epoxy or polyester system," the company stated.
The company plans to add the AgION coating to other flooring products it sells to industrial plants, said Tom Murphy, Sherwin-William's vice president of marketing for the general polymers unit.
The AgION antimicrobial incorporated into the Sherwin-Williams coatings is made up of naturally occurring silver ions, long recognized for their antimicrobial properties.
The AgION antimicrobial provides continuous and long-lasting protection from microbes by releasing silver ions at a slow and steady rate, the company claimed. The design creates a continuous protective environment from microorganisms, which AgION says will last throughout the flooring life.
High foot and vehicle traffic, the movement of heavy equipment, and cleanings with hot water and harsh chemicals can cause severe damage to a floor's surface, the company noted.
Damaged flooring can provide an ideal breeding ground for problematic bacteria since it provides a dark, damp refuge that is impervious to commonly employed cleaning techniques, such as disinfectants and sanitizers.
As a result, odor-causing bacteria can live for hours - or even days - within the pits and crevices that can form on a floor's coated surface from every day wear and tear, the company noted.
"There continues to be a growing concern about cleanliness within the industrial food preparation and processing industries," Sherwin-Williams stated. AgION's antimicrobial has been proven effective against a broad range of microorganisms, including bacteria, algae, and fungus such as mold and yeast, yet is safe enough for human and food contact, the company stated.
The product has been approved for food and water contact by the Environmental Protection Agency and is listed as an indirect food contact substance with the Food and Drug Administration.