What is an antimicrobial coating?

Unlike traditional disinfectants, which only work to eliminate pathogens immediately after application and are quickly consumed or washed away, antimicrobial coatings remain on the surface they are applied to and continue to prevent the formation of biofilms over time.

Antimicrobial coatings generally come in 3 broad categories:

1.) Leachable disinfectants 

2.) Metallic compounds (most notably silver and copper) 

3.) Quaternary ammonium compounds (regarded as the safest)

Leachable Disinfectants 

There are a number of different active ingredients used in leachable disinfectants, but their mechanism of action is generally the same. The active ingredient is slowly released from the coating over time. Some of these substances are safer than others, but leachable disinfectants, by their very nature, have the greatest potential for environmental harm, as the ingredient is continuously expelled into the environment. Therefore, Guin Technologies has chosen to never use this mechanism for our products. Additionally, leachable disinfectants are not permanent – the material slowly leaves the coating and is consumed over time.

Metallic Compounds 

Heavy metal compounds have been used as antimicrobial agents for many years, most notably silver and copper. They are very effective against a large number of microorganisms, but are very expensive and can pose significant long-term health risks as well as harm our environment, particularly our oceans. The reason for this problem is bioaccumulation. Long-term and extensive use of these materials can result in an abundance of metallic compounds in our soils, water, and households.

Silver is the most popular metallic disinfectant and is used either as an ion or as a nanoparticle. Silver ions are leachable and may become a serious problem as the use of these products increases. Silver nanoparticles are toxic and potentially carcinogenic. Therefore, even more so than silver ions, unbound silver nanoparticles, pose extreme, permanent environmental and public health risks. Products that use this technology have become increasingly popular as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some products utilize silver nanoparticles in such a way that they are chemically bound to solids or polymers and are not leachable and therefore they are much safer than unbound particles. However, as these materials are broken down through their lifecycle, these nanoparticles can become “unbound,” and build up in our environment.

Quaternary Ammonium Compounds

Quaternary ammonium compounds are generally regarded as the safest active ingredient used for antimicrobial purposes and are found commonly in the food industry.

The active ingredient in all Tylon coatings is a well-established quaternary ammonium compound known as Polyquartenium-6*, commonly found in hand soaps and water softening products. This ingredient is biodegradable, eliminating the potential for environmental accumulation.

Quaternary ammonium compounds are generally only found in consumable items. Films made using this active ingredient are usually weak or easily washed away because they are water-soluble. However, Tylon technology utilizes a process that permanently binds this active in an ultra-durable, long-lasting coating that does not leach. To learn more about how this technology works, click here.

*For more information on Polyquaternium-6, the active ingredient in Tylon®, please see the EPA catalog.