A Guide to Antimicrobial Coatings

Antimicrobial coatings are used for a variety of applications. The growth of the market is primarily driven by rising demand from end-user sectors such as construction, food and beverages, medical and rising demand from emerging economies.

These coatings can be applied to a variety of substrates, including medical devices, furniture, HVAC systems, as well as in architectural coatings to suppress the growth of various viruses and bacteria.

What is an Antimicrobial Coating?

An antimicrobial coating is an application of a chemical agent that stops the growth of the disease-causing microbe. While other coatings provide anti-corrosion resistance properties, the antimicrobial coatings protect against a broad spectrum of bacteria, mold, and mildew.

What is the Demand for Antimicrobial Coatings?

The global antimicrobial coatings market size is expected to reach $20.71 billion by 2028, according to a new study by Polaris Market Research. The report, “Antimicrobial Coatings Market Size, Share, Trends & Industry Analysis Report By Product (Silver, Copper, Titanium Dioxide, Others); By End-Use; By Region, Segment Forecast, 2021 – 2028,” gives a detailed insight into current market dynamics and provides analysis on future market growth.

How Are Antimicrobial Surfaces Made?

Antimicrobial copper alloy touch surfaces are surfaces that are made from the metal copper or alloys of copper, such as brass and bronze. Copper and copper alloys have a natural ability to kill harmful microbes relatively rapidly – often within two hours or less (i.e. copper alloy surfaces are antimicrobial).

What is the Need of Antimicrobial Coatings?

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, antimicrobial coatings have become more widely used in a variety of markets. The pandemic has dramatically increased interest and demand for antimicrobial and antiviral coatings. Many high traffic areas such as airports, hospitals and schools have adopted antimicrobial coatings.

Innovators are utilizing a wide range of approaches including more conventional biocides, photocatalytic coatings, and novel coatings that trap chlorine or other cleaning agents on a surface to extend their usefulness.

For example, Japan-based Kansai Airports Group has applied an antimicrobial, dirt-proof coating on frequently touched surfaces in Kansai International Airport. The coating was applied in phases on elevators, handrails and other indoor locations to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Chemical manufacturing company SOFT99 has developed the product PROSPEC H-7 Anti-viral Coating for Equipment. After reacting with moisture in the air, the coating will create a layer of antimicrobial compounds, inactivating viruses and other microbes that come in contact with the surface. Several biocides used in the formulation include copper, organo-silane, nano sliver, and few other quaternary products.

Burgeoning markets

Antimicrobial coatings are increasingly being used on high touch surfaces and difficult to clean textiles. High touch surfaces include door handles and elevator buttons in office buildings. These coatings have also been applied to vending machines and public transit systems.

Textiles – such as carpets, apparel and furniture are a particular concern since they are difficult to clean, so there has been a lot of coatings activity in this space. The first EPA emergency exemption for a novel coating was for a coating used on textile seating in American Airlines planes, to supplement their fogging.


An interesting example is the polybags used in the apparel industry, which protect clothes during transit and are removed before reaching the consumer. You might see coatings applied on these bags to ensure cleanliness and prevent the virus from spreading through the supply chain.

Here is a look at some the latest antimicrobial products for the paint and coatings market:

• Atacamalab: Copper Armour is a metallic copper coating that is applied in a liquid state at room temperature forming antimicrobial, virucidal and auto sanitizing surfaces in floors, walls, and surfaces that require biosecurity.

Unlike many products that claim to be antimicrobial, Copper Armour has the certifications that prove that this coating, once applied to a certain substrate, maintains its qualities over time and throughout its useful life, the company reports. This is mainly due to its patented formulation, which, in very general terms, uses copper particles of certain sizes, densities and shapes in very specific quantities.

• Keyland Polymer: Keyland Polymer UV Powders’ newest product offering is UVMax Defender. UVMax Defender provides added antimicrobial protection for Keyland Polymer’s entire line of UV cured powder coatings.

The antimicrobial agent utilizes silver ion technology to help keep surfaces and products safer. UVMax Defender can be used on plastic, composite, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), wood, and metal substrates and is ideal for healthcare, public transportation, hospitality, education, food service, consumer goods, or other coated products where harmful bacteria can be prevalent.

• Corning Incorporated: Corning Incorporated launched a breakthrough in glass-ceramic technology, Corning Guardiant.

Under test methods approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), paint and coatings containing Corning Guardiant were shown to kill more than 99.9 percent of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

The tests provide the first demonstration of highly durable antimicrobial activity against SARS-CoV-2. The demonstrated antimicrobial efficacy remained active even after tests simulating six years of scrubbing. The tests were designed to account for the cleaning that a surface could be subjected to over time. Corning is working alongside PPG as it seeks EPA registration for its paint product formulated with Corning Guardiant.

Subject to EPA approval, PPG’s antiviral paint product will be available under the name COPPER ARMOR.

Prior to making claims in the United States against harmful germs such as SARS-CoV-2, finished products incorporating Corning Guardiant must first be registered with the U.S. EPA.

Microban is a leading innovator in built-in antimicrobials and odour control solutions, with a diverse portfolio of technologies that can work in or on a variety of material types. These proven formulations are integrated into surfaces during manufacturing to deliver permanent protection against bacteria, mould and mildew growth. For over 35 years, Microban has engineered its antimicrobial formulations into a range of products across a variety of industries. The business is currently partnered with more than 1,000 brands, manufacturers and product innovators to successfully treat a range of substrates.

A new copper coating that kills bacteria quicker and in greater amounts than current formulations could soon be available for hospitals and other high-traffic facilities.

A team of UBC researchers led by Dr. Amanda Clifford , an assistant professor in the Department of Materials Engineering, have designed a nano-copper coating that includes bacteria-killing nanoscale features and zinc.

The nanoscale features are tiny bumps that can kill bacteria by rupturing their cell wall. Zinc, which is also antibacterial, selectively oxidizes in the presence of copper and helps kill bacteria more quickly compared to pure copper alone.

The team found that the material took just one hour to kill 99.7 per cent of Staphylococcus aureus—a Gram-positive pathogen commonly responsible for hospital-acquired infections— compared with two hours for pure copper.


The team plans to further evaluate the material against other pathogens, such as viruses, with hopes to eventually commercialize their work. The work is funded in partnership with Teck Resources Limited, which has installed copper surfaces on high-contact surfaces in faculty of applied science buildings at UBC through its Copper & Health program.

The researchers have filed a provisional patent for the coating and fabrication process, which is described in a new paper in Advanced Materials Interfaces.

The Future of Antimicrobial Coatings

According to a recent study from market research firm Graphical Research, the Europe Antimicrobial Coatings Market size is projected to reach a valuation $1.6 billion by 2027.

The rising prevalence of chronic infectious diseases will play a vital role in increasing Europe antimicrobial coatings market share. Antimicrobial coatings are gaining momentum among end-users as they can inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and viruses on various surfaces. They resist corrosion, offer durability, and enhance the aesthetic appearance of surfaces.

The paints find high use in industrial & commercial buildings, textiles, and outdoor & indoor air quality systems. The COVID-19 pandemic was instrumental in driving the sales of antimicrobial coatings as the demand for disinfectant products to contain the spread of the virus skyrocketed during the initial stages of the pandemic.

Antimicrobial powder coatings gain momentum among users

Europe market size from antimicrobial powder coatings is predicted to showcase around 9.5% CAGR through 2027. Silver ions are widely used as additives in these types of paints as they can prevent the growth of disease-causing microbes and have several applications across food, construction, and healthcare sectors. Silver-based antimicrobial powder coatings are highly durable and do not corrode even when they are regularly exposed to cleaning agents and water, thereby accelerating their adoption among end-users.

High demand for antimicrobial coatings to improve indoor air quality

Indoor air quality applications are anticipated to capture a sizeable share of Europe antimicrobial coatings market by 2027. These coatings are finding widespread uses across high-end air handling systems that monitor the indoor air quality.

Some of the examples of the above-mentioned systems include ventilation, heating, air conditioning, and fans. The antimicrobial paints offer a protective layer to prevent the growth of molds and regrowth of bacteria and viruses on the surface of walls, ceilings, and automotive parts, which will amplify their use among clients.

Food industry increases the demand for antimicrobial coatings

The food segment generated a revenue of more than $105 million for Europe antimicrobial coatings market in 2020. One of the main reasons for this is the growing use of antimicrobial coatings in containers, utensils, and food processing units.

These coatings are applied on surfaces that come in close contact with food items and witness robust use in food packaging products. Since the European Commission has laid down strict norms to enhance the safety of food items for human consumption, the demand for antimicrobial coatings will rise across the region.

Germany antimicrobial coatings market share shows promising growth

Germany antimicrobial coatings industry size is set to expand at a substantial rate as the country has a massive presence of distinguished healthcare companies. The organizations produce technologically advanced medical devices for their clients. The nation also has a robust healthcare system that oversees the treatment of thousands of patients every day. Moreover, the German commission has put immense stress on hospital hygiene and infection protection and has offered valuable recommendations in this regard, thereby positively impacting the production of antimicrobial coatings.
Europe antimicrobial coatings industry revenue will greatly increase in the future due to the growing incidence of chronic infectious ailments and the rising demand for paints that prevent cross-contamination. Leading antimicrobial coatings companies across the region, including PPG Industries, Nippon Paint Company, Akzonobel, Dow Chemical Company, Sherwin Williams, Axalta Coating Systems, and BASF SE, among many others, are manufacturing antimicrobial powder coatings and surface modifications & coatings. The paints will find robust applications in textiles, indoor air quality, mold remediation, medical & healthcare, construction, and food sectors.

Source: https://www.graphicalresearch.com/industry-insights/2058/europe-antimicrobial-coatings-market