Microban® utilizes a technology-agnostic approach to product development.
Microban custom-designed antimicrobial technology provides turnkey solutions for each unique product application.
We leverage a broad range of organic, inorganic and organometallic technology to provide the optimal antimicrobial protection products need to resist the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew that cause stains, odors and product deterioration.
By collaborating with our partners to understand each individual product application, we’re able to offer you the right solution for the right product, as opposed to trying to make a single antimicrobial compound work for all of your applications. Properly evaluating antimicrobial properties on a case-by-case basis is the key to providing you with cleaner, fresher protected products.
Use Antimicrobial Technology for Optimal Performance
Antimicrobial technology varies in efficacy against bacterial and fungal microorganism growth. We recommend antimicrobial technology with specific antimicrobial properties to provide optimal efficacy for your product.
Durability Requirements
Engineering antimicrobial properties into products is one thing, but it’s not the only thing. It’s also important to ensure the antimicrobial compound’s effect lasts for the useful life of the product. Microban engineers work with customers to define durability requirements as part of the product development process and are able to employ standard methods or create customized methods to evaluate durability.
For textiles and garments that are washed, standard published methods such as AATCC 61-2A or AATCC 135 are used. For articles exposed to light, ASTM methods using accelerated weather meters (e.g. Xenon-Arc) are used. In addition, Microban engineers are able to carry out customized experiments, such as shower simulations, hot vapor exposure, solvent exposure and repeated washing in a dishwasher, to simulate the actual use environment of the article.
Product Usage Conditions
Our engineers will consult with you to determine the conditions of product use, such as water contact and/or immersion, food contact, skin contact and UV exposure. The usage and product environment heavily influence the antimicrobial properties in the technology we recommend.
Regulatory Approvals
Microban ensures that all recommended antimicrobial technology and odor control technology have the appropriate regulatory approvals prior to commercialization.
Microban Odor Control Technologies
Scentry®
Activewear is often made from polyester, nylons and elastane blends, which retain odors. Because washing alone does little to prevent or remove those odors, it does not take long before your running shoes or yoga pants are rendered useless by an overpowering stench. Scentry, our odor control technology, works by forming a protective barrier on fabrics that traps body odor, preventing apparel from giving off an offensive smell during wear and between washings.
SilverShield®
Microban SilverShield inhibits the growth of microbes by disrupting multiple functions required for bacterial maintenance and reproduction. The odor control technology is engineered to work continuously against a wide range of microbes.
AEGIS®
Microban AEGIS inhibits the growth of microbes on textiles by utilizing a charge disruption mode of action. Microban AEGIS is a cationic antimicrobial that is attracted to the microbe's cell wall and neutralizes the cell wall's natural protection by interacting with cellular proteins needed to maintain cell wall integrity. This leads to the eventual breakdown of the microbial cell, also known as lysis.
AEGIS EXCALIBUR®
Though synthetic fabrics are soft and durable, they come with a downside – it does not take long before your favorite running shoes or athletic shirt develops the kind of smell that takes on a life of its own. To combat those persistent odors, AEGIS EXCALIBUR odor control technology combines an antimicrobial with odor absorbing functionality.
ZPTech®
Microban ZPTech is based off zinc technology and works to inhibit the growth of microbes by interfering with the ion gradient in the cell wall. This interferes with the ability of the microbes to consume nutrients so that the bacteria or fungi lack the necessary nutrients to survive. Microban ZPTech antimicrobial technology is not consumed during its action against microbes. In other words, it is not depleted or destroyed.
