AIMPLAS collaborates on development of antibacterial film
The European FLEXPOL project has developed an innovative antibacterial plastic film using nanoencapsulated essential oils that is more eco-friendly than current hygienization methods. AIMPLAS, the Plastics Technology Centre, has participated in the project.
The project involves using this material in hospitals, though this new development may be of interest to other sectors such as the public transport, food, textile, construction, electrical and electronics, and even cattle industries.
This plastic film is designed to cover surfaces that are highly exposed to contact with microbes and to prevent surface proliferation of these organisms by keeping them from adhering. Essential oil encapsulation technologies are therefore being used to obtain a product that is easy to apply and remove.
The mission of the European FLEXPOL project is to develop a new, more eco-friendly material with antimicrobial and antifungal properties to be used in hospitals.
The project’s main challenge was to keep the essential oil nanocapsules intact during film processing because of their low thermal resistance. In this area, AIMPLAS contributed its nanotechnology expertise by developing a method that prevents the nanocapsules from being destroyed during the compounding phase of processing.
As a result of this project, which will be developed in a real hospital environment after the laboratory phase, it will be possible to significantly reduce the use of detergents and antibiotics, thus making nanocapsulation an eco-friendly alternative. This method is also less expensive than those currently in use.
The FLEXPOL project is funded by the European Commission H2020 programme and is coordinated by Fraunhofer. A total of eleven entities from five countries have participated.
