nti-microbial films offer reliable, 24-hour protection from mould growth and bacterial contamination, including some of those that prove the most troublesome to fast food restaurant.
While the hope is to finally be out of what has felt like a never-ending pandemic, the reality is COVID-19 will be hanging around for some time. Although the vaccine rollout is positive news and does offer a way out, scientists continue to warn measures and restrictions will remain in place to limit further spread of the virus. This means food, beverage, and other hospitality venues will need to ensure they continue operating in line with strict health and safety guidelines, while also enhancing their cleaning regimes. Anti-microbial protection films could help fast food restaurants keep their surfaces as clean as possible.
Wider impact
Of course, there are many opportunities for the use of anti-microbial protection films outside of the food, beverage, and hospitality sectors. These products can be used in all environments where hygiene is of particular importance, such as schools, daycare centres, and hospitals.
Working with a similar approach to food outlets, the substrate can be applied to a wide range of high-touch surfaces and help reduce the risk of cross-contamination in schools and daycare centres.
The same applies for hospitals, too. Medical and health-care environments around the world have been under immense pressure for the last 17 months, but by working with anti-microbial protection films, one could help ease some of the strain by ensuring surfaces are—and remain—clean.
Some anti-microbial products are hard-coated and not only resistant to daily and industrial use, but also vigorous cleaning and the chemicals used in health-care environments, making them an ideal solution for these clients.
Looking ahead
It has been a long year, and people are looking forward to going back to some sort of normalcy, sooner rather than later. There is still plenty of work that needs to be done to ensure more businesses can reopen safely while continuing to protect people—and anti-microbial protection films offer an extremely useful and flexible solution.
Shaun Holdom has more than 25 years’ experience and has worked in various areas of the printing industry, including positions at both hardware and consumables manufacturers. Having previously worked at a leading ink producer, he has a deep understanding of media, coatings, and adhesives from the perspective of their chemistry and compatibility across a diverse range of applications. For the past several years, Holdom has served as Drytac’s global product manager where he has been tasked with streamlining Drytac’s existing product portfolio and successfully introducing new products to the global marketplace.
