Janssen PMP partners with Intertek to explore SANAFOR®, a novel antimicrobial technology for plastics

14 Apr 2015

Geleen, The Netherlands – Intertek, a leading quality solutions provider to industries worldwide, has provided expertise to help Janssen Preservation and Material Protection (PMP) to explore the inclusion of antimicrobials into plastics which provides them with a built-in protection.

The use of antimicrobials in plastic products is a rapidly developing technology and represents one of the strategies to reduce the growth of bacteria and fungi, such as moulds, on plastic surfaces. Janssen PMP has developed novel packaging applications by incorporating the antimicrobial SANAFOR® which is directly incorporated into plastic materials to give built-in, long-lasting protection against microorganisms.

Intertek used their laboratory polymer processing facility to produce small batches of the novel material to show that it is easily added to plastic materials, such as polyethylene and polypropylene. Intertek’s scientists then created plastic test samples using film extrusion and injection moulding techniques and conducted a suite of mechanical tests to determine the influence of the antimicrobial on the performance of plastic materials.

Dr. Kurt De Meyer, Global Product Manager, Janssen PMP, said “We have already applied SANAFOR® to wide variety of applications and materials, ranging from ventilation pipes, hospital bed elements and agricultural film to toilet seats, textiles and food storage containers. Working with Intertek we can now further explore new applications for SANAFOR®, offering plastic materials with built-in protection against a broad spectrum of micro-organisms“

Frank Huijnen, Intertek Senior Consultant Polymers, shared “Intertek’s expertise in polymer raw materials and laboratory polymer processing combined with our knowledge of industry requirements is key to accelerating our clients’ innovation. Our polymer testing expertise helps clients to understand the impact of antimicrobials on the performance of novel materials’”

Moving forward, Intertek will provide similar expertise to assist Janssen PMP to explore the application of SANAFOR® to other plastic materials such as polystyrene, polyesters and polyamides.

Intertek’s polymer testing laboratory in Geleen (Netherlands), Basel (Switzerland), and Wilton (United Kingdom) have worked with innovators in industries that use polymer or plastic components for over 20 years. Intertek polymer engineers, chemists and regulatory experts work with clients to continually enhance polymer development through advanced analytics, problem solving, pilot plant injection moulding, film extrusion and compounding pilot line facilities. With this expertise, Intertek supports the development of new and innovative polymer products for numerous applications including packaging, consumer products, automotive and aerospace.

Contacts:
Frank Huijnen, Senior Consultant Polymers
Tel: +31 (0)88 126 8888

Chantal Haarmann, Marketing Manager
Tel: +31 (0)88 126 8888

About Janssen PMP
Janssen Preservation and Material Protection (PMP), a division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, is a Johnson & Johnson company. The company is a long-established world leader in the development and formulation of new and highly effective active substances and end-use products for the protection of materials and food. Through protection of our surroundings, Janssen PMP aims to protect the health and well-being of the people in the environment in which our products are being used.

About Intertek
Intertek is a leading quality solutions provider to industries worldwide. From auditing and inspection, to testing, training, advisory, quality assurance and certification, Intertek adds value for its customers by helping improve the quality and safety of their products, assets and processes. With a network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 38,000 people in more than 100 countries, Intertek supports companies’ success in the global marketplace, by helping customers to meet end users’ expectations for safety, sustainability, performance, integrity and desirability in virtually any market worldwide. Visit www.intertek.com.