Page 68 - Plastics News August - 2023

IN THE NEWS

‘World-First’ Polymer Prevents Bacterial Biofilm Formation in Water Systems
submerged in water, making it an at-
tractive option for use in water pipes,
sanitary fixtures, fittings, and plumb-
ing systems, among many other ap-
plications.
Commenting on the collaboration
with Angel Guard, Professor Derek
Irvine of the materials chemistry de-
partment in the university’s faculty of
engineering said that it allowed aca-
demic researchers to “develop some

The plastic construction mate- The new anti-biofilm polymer is a vi- of our paradigm changing fundamental
rial can be applied via spray coat- tal tool to not only protect water sys- research into real-world impact. It is a
ing, dipping, or 3D-printing tech- tems, where it will be initially used, very strong example of how knowl-
edge transfer and exchange with in-
niques. but also to protect public health at
large, according to a news release dustry can have benefits for people all
new polymer that prevents bac- published on the University of Not- over the world.”
A terial biofilm formation in water tingham website. Its unique specifi- A key challenge in the development
systems and other products could cations allow it to be used as a plas-
of the material was finding an anti-
save thousands of lives, according to tic construction material that can be biofilm polymer that could withstand
researchers at England’s University applied via spray coating, dipping, or high temperatures in-line with cur-
of Nottingham. Bactigon/KELT-7, de- 3D-printing techniques. This versatil- rent hot cleaning procedures. The du-
veloped in collaboration with Glas- ity further expands the range of pos- rable new polymer with anti-biofilm
gow-based medical-biotech company sible applications, according to the properties was designed and shown
Angel Guard, is being called a “world- release. to be able to coat O-rings used in
first” polymer that reduces the risk potable water systems using a simple
of deadly infections without the need Unlike silver and zinc additives, the dip-coating procedure.
for antibiotics or other toxic diffusible new polymer prevents bacterial
agents. pathogen biofilm growth even when

Chemical recycling makes sense whenever mechanical recycling falls short

n its ‘Let’s talk about Chemical Re- The potential is clearly between me- cling proves difficult. It makes sense
Icycling” series, the Plastics and Rub- chanical processing and energy recov- to break up the carbon compounds,
ber Machinery division of the German ery. When incinerating, only the en- clean them and polymerise them
VDMA association talks to experts ergy of the plastic waste is used, the again. That is not taking place at the
and stakeholders active in the chemi- material itself is lost; therefore, new moment, however. Unfortunately, the
cal recycling space. Here, Michael material has to be obtained from fos- crux of the matter is that chemical
Ludden, managing director of Sutco sil resources. But unlike mechanical recycling currently only deals with re-
Recycling GmbH stresses the need recycling, chemical recycling breaks processing of polyolefins such as poly-
to regulate material streams: "There down these compounds instead of propylene and polyethylene. These
must not be a cannibalisation of mate- utilising existing polymers as material. plastics consist only of chains made
rial flows". up of carbon and hydrogen. The large
In practice, in which area is it fea-
Mr. Ludden, what potential does sible? amount of other plastics that also con-
tain nitrogen, sulphur or oxygen is not
chemical recycling have in your For me, chemical recycling becomes the focus of chemical recyclers, be-
view? feasible whenever mechanical recy- cause these substances interfere with

68 PLASTICS NEWS August 2023
68 PLASTICS NEWS
August 2023