HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (October 17, 2016) – Microban® International, the global leader in antimicrobial, odor control, and surface modification technologies, has been granted two United States patents relating to antimicrobial technology in ceramics. These patents cover incorporating antimicrobials into ceramics-based products such as floor and wall tiles, and sanitary ware products such as toilets and sinks.
“These patents cover the latest state-of-art approaches to creating antimicrobial ceramic surfaces and represent the culmination of seven years of research effort and more than one million dollars in development costs,” stated Ivan Ong, VP of Research and Development at Microban International. “Bringing this technology to ceramic products is another example of Microban combining science with creative approaches to develop inventive solutions. In addition, our antimicrobial technologies are structured to pass the new ASTM E3031 2015 test standard for evaluating antimicrobial performance of ceramic articles."
Microban antimicrobial technology is added to the ceramic product during the normal manufacturing process to become an integral and permanent part of the glaze. Ceramic products infused with Microban technology provide continuous protection for the life of the product. The technologies utilized have a long history of effective use, and will not wash off or wear away. Unlike photocatalytic technologies, Microban antimicrobial technology does not require strong light like sunlight to provide efficacy, and hence is the logical choice for indoor environments such as bathrooms and kitchens. The technologies comply with the EU Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) and have US EPA Registration.
Leading ceramic manufacturers across the globe, such as Florida Tile, LEA, Daltile, and Keramin already feature this innovative technology in their products.
“Our customers expect and demand that we offer the most innovative and forward designed products,” says Sean Cilona, Director of Marketing and Product Development, Florida Tile. “This partnership is a natural next step in the evolution of our product offering. These tiles will be a powerful tool in the hands of designers and builders looking to develop environments with superior cleanliness and maintenance standards.”
About Microban
At Microban, we promise to redefine clean with proactive protection that lives on. Our proactive systems keep products cleaner and control odors by preventing problems before they start. Microban drives innovation by combining science and creative solutions that enhance high quality consumer, textile, industrial, and medical products around the world. Today the Microban brand and technologies are featured on more than 1,000 products worldwide. The company is headquartered in North Carolina with operations in North America, South America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific.
