Picture: Fraunhofer IPA

Antimicrobial Powder Coating

The antimicrobial powder coating of air handling units
persistently and certifiedly inhibits microbial growth.
Antimicrobial powder coating
Air is the prime necessity of life. Therefore, its purity and microbiological cleanliness are very important. Air
handling units treat the air, and have to ensure its sustained quality. The surface coating of the air handling
units contains permanently active substances, providing a valuable contribution to the reduction of germs.
To avoid the risk of formation of a biofilm in air handling units, robatherm offers air handling units with a
long-acting, verified powder coating. Antimicrobial additives are incorporated in this special powder coating.

Settling and growth of microorganisms

Under certain conditions, microorganisms such as bacteria, algae or fungi can settle and proliferate
on every imaginable surface. There they form a thin mucus layer, the biofilm.
This layer also protects the microorganisms. In this biofilm their immunity against extreme Ph- and
temperature fluctuations and bactericides increases, in addition they are also more resistant against
ultra violet and roentgen radiation, as well as against food shortage. The continuous process of
combatting microorganisms prevents the formation of a biofilm.

Hazard prevention
Designers, installers and operators have the responsibility to ensure that the occupants of a building
are not endangered by microorganisms from the air handling units. The standards regarding ambient
air are very high, especially in medical areas. In the health care environment, a perfect hygienic and
comfortable indoor climate is of primordial importance. But a permanently active antimicrobial
coating applied on the devices provides additional security in factories. Especially the effectiveness
against MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is very beneficial for laboratories,
hospitals and health care facilities.

Air handling units in the Experimental OR designed in cooperation with the University Hospital
Tbingen

Conventional measures dont last

Antibacterial coating with a commercial nano-silver base gives initially demonstrable results.
However, in most cases the antimicrobial action weakens after only a few weeks.
Effective protection
The antimicrobial powder coating also acts against algae, yeast fungi (Candida Albicans) and
mildews (Apergillus Niger) unlike antibacterial agents, which only combat bacteria (pneumococcus,
staphylococcus, coli bacteria, MRSA). In general, nano-silver does not provide satisfactory results for
this.
The incorporated additives are organometallic substances with ionizing effect; they are not nano-
materials. The carrier substances of the molecular complex adhere to ion emitters and catalysts.
New ions are being built continuously.

The action of the additives is predominantly based on the ionizing. Such is the impact of the ions on
the metabolic system of the cells, causing primitive organisms to die off. In this way the
antimicrobial powder coating prevents their proliferation. During this process, 5 million germs per
hour and per square centimeter are liquidated.
These molecules prevent the colonization of the surface by microorganisms. The long-term
effectiveness provides an essential advantage in comparison with the conventional system with the
nano-silver base.

In spring 2010 the very high effectiveness against

gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and the
effectiveness against mold fungus has been
certified by an independent, approved testing
institute.

robatherm accepts no responsibility or liability for the correctness or completeness of the contents of this document. Figures and descriptions to some
degree contain elements that exceeded those in the standard product. Subject to technical modification and amendment.
Edition 04/2010. Copyright by robatherm
robatherm GmbH + Co. KG
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89331 Burgau, Germany

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