Rowa Masterbatch (Pinneberg / Germany; www.rowa-group.com) has introduced an antimicrobial compound, based on zinc oxide, which is suitable for use in injection moulding and extrusion applications. The company said the use of “Rowa Protect” leads to no negative effects on the mechanical properties of the plastics into which it is incorporated.

The product has been launched against the background of recently published research on the Klebsiella pneumonia bacteria, which is able to block currently available antibiotics. “Rowa Protect” can be used in applications such as doorknobs, toilet seats and drinking cups used in clinics that patients, visitors, doctors and medical staff come into contact with regularly and can become the carrier medium for disease-causing bacteria.

The incorporation of disinfecting antimicrobial agents during the manufacturing process allows objects to be coated with durable, non-leaching antibacterial materials that can substantially reduce the spread of bacteria, the company said.