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Proven performance against bacterial odors Resists loss of efficacy Masterbatches provide an easy and safe way to incorporate antimicrobials in footwear
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Media Release
Muttenz, April 4, 2014 – Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, today announced
availability of CESA®-antimicro additive in masterbatches with demonstrated protection against
odor-causing bacteria in shoes, boots, sandles and other footwear made with polymeric insoles.
“Footwear poses a special challenge when it comes to preventing the development of odor-causing
microbes,” explains Brett Watkins, Product Manager – Clariant Additive Masterbatches. “The
pressure and rubbing of feet against the soles and interior surfaces of shoes and sandles reduces
effectiveness of the most common antimicrobial treatment – Silane quaternary amine (Si-quat)
antimicrobials . Silver ion technology, which is the other commonly used antimicrobial, is effective
only at high dosages which are cost-prohibitive inmany footwear applications.”
Si-quat antimicrobials, Watkins explains, bond chemically when applied to a surface and transform
it into a microbial barrier by creating microscopic “spears” that destroy micro-organisms like mold,
mildew and odor-causing bacteria as they come into contact with the surface. When Si-quats are
used in shoes, however, the “spears” are broken by the pressure and rubbing of the wearer’s feet and
may reduce the effectof preventing microbial growth. CESA-Antimcro additive masterbatches from
Clariant Masterbatches, on the other hand, are based on organo-metallic materials that are blended
into the polymer during processing anchoring them on the surface where they depolarize the
microbe membranes and deactivate the microbe. Rubbing the surface does not diminish
effectiveness of CESA-Antimcro.
CESA-antimicro masterbatches are more effective at controlling certain odor-causing bacteria like
Trichophyton mentagrophytes when compared to silver based products. Against other odor-causing
bacteria, such as those in the Klebsiella genus, the two technologies are both effective but the CESA-
antimicro is more cost-effective. That’s because the silver-ion additives must be used at much higher
concentrations – as much as ten times higher – than the organo-metallic additive used in the
Clariant antimicrobial masterbatches.
Subjective testing, involving a panel of human reviewers, was conducted over a period of six months
by a major footwear manufacturer. Test subjects wore footwear treated with either quat silanes,
silver ion compounds or the organo-metallic CESA-antimicro product.
Clariant Masterbatches with CESA®
Antimicrobial Fight Odor in Footwear
Proven performance against bacterial odors
Resists loss of efficacy
Masterbatches provide an easy and safe way to incorporate
antimicrobials in footwear
MEDIA RELEASE
Every four weeks, the panel of odor testers smelled and rated the odor left on the footwear. They
reported that the footwear containing Clariant product evidenced less odor than either of the other
treatments.
THE MASTERBATCH ADVANTAGE
Masterbatches are pelletized materials that incorporate high concentrations of an additive (or
colorant or both), evenly dispersed in a plastic material called a carrier resin. During processing
masterbatch pellets are added to natural (untreated) resin to produce a finished product with the
characteristics created by the additive, in this case a registered antimicrobial. Unlike Si-quat and
silver ion antimicrobials, masterbatches containing CESA-antimicro are easier to use and safer to
store than the base antimicrobial material as Clariant has already encapsulated the antimicrobial
into the resin.
Even compared to other masterbatches that use similar antimicrobial chemistries, Clariant CESA-
antimicro is expected to perform better because it can be specificallytailored to the customers
process and materials. “Most competitive masterbatches are based on resins like polyethylene or
ethylene vinyl acetate” explains Brett Watkins. “Depending on the application, these ‘universal’
carriers can cause issues for the processor and affect the development of critical performance
properties. Clariant’s carriers are tailored to the customer’s application for superior performance.
They can even include specialized dispersion packages when required.“
CESA-antimicro masterbatches include additives which can extend antimicrobial options to many
different plastic products. Beyond footwear, typical applications for antimicrobial masterbatches
include fibers and textiles used in athletic gear and household furnishings, kitchenware and
bathroom products, automotive steering wheels and interior parts, and a broad range of other
plastic applications requiring a high standard of antimicrobial protection. Clariant has a long-
established collaboration with Sanitized AG, a Swiss company offering antimicrobial additives for a
range of uses.
CORPORATE MEDIA RELATIONS
MEDIA RELATIONS NORTH AMERICA
KAI ROLKER
Phone +41 61 469 63 63
AIMEE HAWKINS
Phone +1 704 331 7143
STEFANIE NEHLSEN
Phone +41 61 469 63 63
[email protected] CESA
® TRADEMARK OF CLARIANT REGISTERED IN MANY COUNTRIES.
www.clariant.com
Clariant is a globally leading specialty chemicals company, based in Muttenz near Basel/Switzerland. On December 31, 2013 the company
employed a total workforce of 18,099. In the financial year 2013, Clariant recorded sales of CHF 6.076 billion for its continuing businesses. The
company reports in four business areas: Care Chemicals, Catalysis & Energy, Natural Resources, and Plastics & Coatings. Clariant’s corporate
strategy is based on four pillars: managing businesses for profitability, research & development and innovation, growth in emerging markets,
and repositioning of the portfolio.
Press release and photography can be downloaded from www.clariant.com or www.PressReleaseFinder.com.
