Used in our homes, public settings, healthcare facilities and even industrial workplaces, you don’t have to look hard to find a product that is made out of ceramic. Ceramic is a versatile material that is used to create a plethora of products, but it is prone to microbial growth due to the areas in which ceramic products are often used.
Moisture, heat and humidity attract stain and odor-causing microorganisms which contaminate the surface of the material. Not only can this be a cause for concern for consumers, but it’s also a concern for manufacturers who want their ceramic products to be associated with being long lasting and of a good quality. As such, many manufacturers make the decision to protect their products from harmful microbes using advanced ceramic technology.
Why ceramic manufacturers equip their products with antimicrobial additives
Many ceramic manufacturers understand the need to incorporate advanced ceramic technology into their product development process, simply because of the environments in which their ceramic products are used. Take bathrooms for example: the hot, humid conditions found in our bathrooms at home and public restrooms dramatically increase the rate at which microbes contaminate surfaces. Without a regular and thorough use of disinfectants, stain and odor-causing microbes can rapidly develop on the ceramic surface. Not only does this cause damage to the surfaces, but through deterioration, it can also shorten the useful lifetime of ceramic products.
Antimicrobial ceramics have built-in continuous protection against microbes which extends the effectiveness of regular cleaning routines. Using advanced antimicrobial technology to develop your ceramic products is a unique selling point that can enhance the reputation of a product and brand because of the benefits it provides for the consumer.
The antimicrobial ceramics case study: Public toilet surfaces
To understand how susceptible ceramics are to microbial growth, Microban microbiologists measured the levels of bacteria on public toilet surfaces in shopping centers, restaurants, gas stations and other retail outlets.
On average, the toilet surfaces harbored 108 colony forming units (CFUs) per square inch, with one toilet containing a substantial 2,256 CFUs per square inch. While these areas are often routinely disinfected and cleaned, the rate at which microbes can reappear and develop on unprotected surfaces is alarming. In fact, it can take as little as 20 minutes for microbes to double in numbers on an unprotected surface. A routine clean can provide short-term effectiveness against microbial growth, but the likelihood of microbial regrowth is high. This is just one of the reasons why many business owners and public area managers decide to purchase antimicrobial ceramics for their products.
Benefits of equipping ceramics with antimicrobial additives
- Antimicrobial protection helps to fight against stain and odor-causing microbes.
- It slows down the deterioration process, therefore extending the useful lifetime of a antimicrobial ceramic product.
- It works around the clock to inhibit harmful microbes as soon as they come into contact with a product’s surface.
- Once installed, the protection does not wash off or wear away.
If you would like any more information on how Microban could help to enhance one or more of your ceramic products with our advanced ceramic technology, contact us to learn more.
