Silver antibacterial agent for milk packaging seal ring

The ERIKS Group, a group of eight national companies, has introduced a new seal ring for the dairy industry. The material used is Elastoguard-HNBR, a rubber compound developed jointly with UK-based Milliken Chemical Specialty Elastomers Inc., containing a silver-based antimicrobial agent. After compounding with the base material, the material will maintain its antibacterial properties for a long time. Elastoguard-HNBR antibacterial agents are non-extractable silver, sodium, zirconium complex phosphate ion exchange resins. After vulcanization of the components processed by the compound, the additive immediately coats the rubber matrix resin and infiltrates into the entire component, protecting the surface layer and the inner core of the components from bacterial attack. In the case of additives, silver ions will be released and the silver ions will damage the cell walls and kill bacteria. The released silver ions can enter places where detergents are difficult to clean, such as the slits at the seal opening like hair filaments.

According to the ERIKS Group, the antibacterial properties of Elastoguard-HNBR additives are not reduced even after the parts are worn and washed. For easy identification, the injection-molded sealing ring is yellow, with 10 sizes according to the German DIN 11851 standard and an outer diameter of 20 to 114 mm. The seal ring has excellent anti-oil and anti-aging properties in addition to its antibacterial properties and resistance to steam at 150 °C. The seal is reliable. The seal ring is tasteless and odorless. It has been registered with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The first application product is the connection seal ring for the dairy market, and the applications being evaluated are the beer industry and the food processing industry. Long-term application targets include the medical market and laboratory equipment.

Source: Plastic Additives