New Unique, Innovative Anti-microbial Label Material

Tenza Technologies Ltd, the leading manufacturer of self-adhesive products for the global packaging and stationery industries, has announced the launch of tenzaguard? with BioCote® - an innovative antimicrobial material which enables the production of labels which inhibit the growth of bacteria. tenzaguard? with BioCote® has been re-developed following its initial launch at Labelexpo 2005, thanks to the recent partnership formed between Tenza and BioCote® Ltd, the market leaders in the field of antimicrobial technology.

The active ingredient in the BioCote® antimicrobial additive is the natural element silver, in the form of silver ions. Silver is a renowned natural antimicrobial, which is already used in various applications within the healthcare sector including catheters and wound dressings.

The silver ions form part of a unique coating, providing an active concentration on the surface of the label. The silver ions cause functions in the bacteria to break down, resulting in the bacteria being unable to reproduce and therefore inhibiting bacterial growth. This effectively helps to break the chain of contamination on manually handled products and packages.

"BioCote® has a proven track record across a variety of industries for being at the forefront of antimicrobial technologies, their applications and the associated technical know-how," says Ernie Dellow, UK Sales Manager. "Tenza's expertise within the labelling and laminate market means that our partnership with BioCote® creates a truly unique market position which complements our Bespoke Laminate Solutions portfolio perfectly. tenzaguard? with BioCote® allows us to create true value to every level within the supply chain."

The BioCote® antimicrobial additive is up to 99.9% effective in reducing levels of MRSA, C-diff, Listeria, E-coli, Salmonella and a range of other harmful bacteria. Tenza sees their key targets as the pharmaceutical and healthcare markets, although tenzaguard? with BioCote® will have applications across virtually every hygiene conscious sector.

Extensive testing has also shown that the effectiveness of the BioCote® additive does not diminish significantly with time or handling, meaning that tenzaguard? with BioCote® labels will have no problem retaining their anti-microbial properties for the life of the label itself.