Kerry Pianoforte, Editor02.16.22
CW: The COVID-19 pandemic obviously created a need for anti-viral coatings. Have you seen a steady market increase in the demand for these coatings, and do you think that demand will continue to increase or decline as the pandemic ends?
Phua: Health and safety are possibly the top concerns in the recent years due to the ongoing pandemic. These concerns have in some ways contributed to the demand for paint products that could bring a positive impact on consumer’s health and well-being.
However, the pandemic is only one of such stimuli. AkzoNobel has been researching and developing solutions that bring health and well-being advantages to our customers for years. Prior to Dulux Wash & Wear Anti-Viral1 (also known as Dulux EasyClean Antivirus in other countries), we already have in our portfolio products with the antibacterial2 properties and the Dulux Better Living Air Clean Biobased product with the ability to purify indoor air.
Please do note that Dulux Wash & Wear anti-viral properties is effective against human coronavirus NL-63 (with 99% efficacy) but is not tested for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Its anti-bacterial properties are based on testing against 6 types of bacteria as per TUV-JIS Z 2801 test method.2
Health and safety will continue to be important considerations for people, as more consumers are seeking products made with the highest safety standards while contributing to their overall well-being.
CW: Please describe the product being offered. Where can it be applied and what are its performance attributes?
Phua: Dulux Wash & Wear Anti-Viral is a premium water-based emulsion equipped with Silver Ion Technology™ which provides a protective layer on the interior walls, effective against the growth of certain bacteria and viruses.
In addition, Dulux Wash & Wear Anti-Viral comes with KidProof+ Technology which offers a higher level of protection against tough stains and helps make cleaning common household stains on walls easy as it delays stains from penetrating further into the paint film. Besides being water-based, it also contains all the advance features of Dulux’s premium interior paints such as anti-mould, colorguard, smooth finish, as well as being low in odor and volatile organic compounds (VOC). In addition, this product has been granted the Singapore Green Label certification.
CW: Does AkzoNobel plan on rolling out additional anti-viral products?
Phua: Developing products in this regard has always been a part our plan as health and well-being is one of the areas to bring sustainability benefits under our SPPA (Sustainable Product Portfolio Assessment) framework, following our People. Planet. Paint approach. We are committed to creating impactful sustainable solutions that bring positive impacts to consumers’ health and well-being, while also empowering our customers to achieve their own sustainability objectives.
CW: Right now this product is only offered in the Asia region. Do you have plans to open it up in other regions?
Phua: In the United Kingdom, for the trade market, we have launched Sterishield endowed with Silver Ion Technology, delivering anti-bacterial functionalities. We are continuously making in-depth research in targeted markets to understand consumers’ needs in the health and well-being areas and making preparation in terms of both product and distribution for potential launch.3
CW: In terms of R&D, what applications and products are of the most interest to you?
Phua: We at AkzoNobel share a passion for paints, which also means the passion for all innovations towards providing better spaces for people to live. AkzoNobel has a team of 3,000 scientists working closely with customers to develop innovative, sustainable solutions to real-world concerns and challenges. And as a company, we are always seeking to deliver tangible benefits for our customers, society and the environment through our People. Planet. Paint. Approach.
*Note: Unless otherwise specified, the answers provided here only apply to products launched in the South East & South Asia markets.
MarketsandMarkets has released a report “Antimicrobial Coatings Market by Type (Silver, Copper, Titanium Dioxide), Application (Medical & Healthcare, Food & Beverage, Building & Construction, HVAC System, Protective Clothing, Transportation), & Region - Global Forecast to 2026.” According to the report, the global antimicrobial coatings market size is projected to grow from $3.9 billion in 2021 to $6.4 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 10.5%. The global antimicrobial coatings market size is projected to grow from $3.9 billion in 2021 to $6.4 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 10.5% between 2021 and 2026. The growth is attributed to the growing adoption of antimicrobial coatings across several industrial applications to ensure the utmost safety from the bacteria, pathogens, and other microbes.
Silver segment estimated to lead the antimicrobial coatings market in 2020.
By type, the silver-based segment accounted for the largest share in the overall antimicrobial coatings market. It is used widely due to its properties, such as high efficacy rate, long-lasting effect, durability, and strength, among others. Also, the higher efficiency and low toxic nature compared to other types support the growth of the market. Also, increasing penetration in the medical & healthcare, protective clothing, food & beverage, and HVAC system applications.
The medical & healthcare sector is estimated to be leading consumer of antimicrobial coatings.
The medical & healthcare segment led the overall antimicrobial coatings market in 2020, both in terms of value and volume. In the medical & healthcare industry, the growing concern about hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) and its related impact on humans are major driving factors for the antimicrobial coatings market. There has been a significant increase in the patient pool across the globe due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the treatment of these patients, temporary hospitals and facilities have been established in several countries, wherein the utmost care has been taken to avoid the spread and growth of the COVID-19 virus and other bacteria on the surfaces. For the same, these temporary and existing healthcare facilities are applying antimicrobial coatings on the surfaces, such as door handles, trails, beds, healthcare instruments, and medical devices used for the treatment.
North America projected to account for the largest share of the antimicrobial coatings market during the forecast period.
North America is projected to have the largest share in the global antimicrobial coatings market, in terms of both value and volume, from 2021 to 2026. The North American antimicrobial coatings market is driven by the rising demand from the medical & healthcare sector to inhibit the growth of bacteria and microbes, causing HAIs. In North America, the US is severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic compared to Canada and Mexico. There is a significant increase in the demand from the medical & healthcare application due to the COVID-19 pandemic to evade the transmission of bacteria from surface to surface. Several manufacturers supply antimicrobial coatings to these facilities to ensure the safety of patients and hospital staff. Also, due to the stringent regulations pertaining to the indoor air quality, the HVAC system manufacturers are incorporating antimicrobial coatings on surfaces to ensure the required air quality by inhibiting the growth of mold and bacteria.
AkzoNobel (Netherlands), The Sherwin-Williams Company (US), Axalta Coating Systems (US), PPG Industries (US), Nippon Paint Holdings (Japan), and DuPont de Nemours (US) are the key players operating in the antimicrobial coatings market.
1 Anti-virus performance • Effective against human coronavirus NL-63 (99% efficacy) - with 30 min of exposure on the painted surface (based on certificate of analysis issued by IMSL UK) • This is NOT tested for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• Virus and bacteria can also spread through other external/Internal surfaces.
2 Anti-bacteria performance *Dulux Wash & Wear has been tested against six types of bacteria as per TUV-JIS Z 2801 test method. Dulux Wash & Wear sample was found to meet the anti-bacterial performance requirements for the following set of bacteria: - Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 9027) - Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538P) - Bacillus subtilis (ATC 6633) - Salmonella typhimurium (ATCC 14028) - MRSA (NCTC 12493) - Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739)
Phua: Health and safety are possibly the top concerns in the recent years due to the ongoing pandemic. These concerns have in some ways contributed to the demand for paint products that could bring a positive impact on consumer’s health and well-being.
However, the pandemic is only one of such stimuli. AkzoNobel has been researching and developing solutions that bring health and well-being advantages to our customers for years. Prior to Dulux Wash & Wear Anti-Viral1 (also known as Dulux EasyClean Antivirus in other countries), we already have in our portfolio products with the antibacterial2 properties and the Dulux Better Living Air Clean Biobased product with the ability to purify indoor air.
Please do note that Dulux Wash & Wear anti-viral properties is effective against human coronavirus NL-63 (with 99% efficacy) but is not tested for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Its anti-bacterial properties are based on testing against 6 types of bacteria as per TUV-JIS Z 2801 test method.2
Health and safety will continue to be important considerations for people, as more consumers are seeking products made with the highest safety standards while contributing to their overall well-being.
CW: Please describe the product being offered. Where can it be applied and what are its performance attributes?
Phua: Dulux Wash & Wear Anti-Viral is a premium water-based emulsion equipped with Silver Ion Technology™ which provides a protective layer on the interior walls, effective against the growth of certain bacteria and viruses.
In addition, Dulux Wash & Wear Anti-Viral comes with KidProof+ Technology which offers a higher level of protection against tough stains and helps make cleaning common household stains on walls easy as it delays stains from penetrating further into the paint film. Besides being water-based, it also contains all the advance features of Dulux’s premium interior paints such as anti-mould, colorguard, smooth finish, as well as being low in odor and volatile organic compounds (VOC). In addition, this product has been granted the Singapore Green Label certification.
CW: Does AkzoNobel plan on rolling out additional anti-viral products?
Phua: Developing products in this regard has always been a part our plan as health and well-being is one of the areas to bring sustainability benefits under our SPPA (Sustainable Product Portfolio Assessment) framework, following our People. Planet. Paint approach. We are committed to creating impactful sustainable solutions that bring positive impacts to consumers’ health and well-being, while also empowering our customers to achieve their own sustainability objectives.
CW: Right now this product is only offered in the Asia region. Do you have plans to open it up in other regions?
Phua: In the United Kingdom, for the trade market, we have launched Sterishield endowed with Silver Ion Technology, delivering anti-bacterial functionalities. We are continuously making in-depth research in targeted markets to understand consumers’ needs in the health and well-being areas and making preparation in terms of both product and distribution for potential launch.3
CW: In terms of R&D, what applications and products are of the most interest to you?
Phua: We at AkzoNobel share a passion for paints, which also means the passion for all innovations towards providing better spaces for people to live. AkzoNobel has a team of 3,000 scientists working closely with customers to develop innovative, sustainable solutions to real-world concerns and challenges. And as a company, we are always seeking to deliver tangible benefits for our customers, society and the environment through our People. Planet. Paint. Approach.
*Note: Unless otherwise specified, the answers provided here only apply to products launched in the South East & South Asia markets.
MarketsandMarkets has released a report “Antimicrobial Coatings Market by Type (Silver, Copper, Titanium Dioxide), Application (Medical & Healthcare, Food & Beverage, Building & Construction, HVAC System, Protective Clothing, Transportation), & Region - Global Forecast to 2026.” According to the report, the global antimicrobial coatings market size is projected to grow from $3.9 billion in 2021 to $6.4 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 10.5%. The global antimicrobial coatings market size is projected to grow from $3.9 billion in 2021 to $6.4 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 10.5% between 2021 and 2026. The growth is attributed to the growing adoption of antimicrobial coatings across several industrial applications to ensure the utmost safety from the bacteria, pathogens, and other microbes.
Silver segment estimated to lead the antimicrobial coatings market in 2020.
By type, the silver-based segment accounted for the largest share in the overall antimicrobial coatings market. It is used widely due to its properties, such as high efficacy rate, long-lasting effect, durability, and strength, among others. Also, the higher efficiency and low toxic nature compared to other types support the growth of the market. Also, increasing penetration in the medical & healthcare, protective clothing, food & beverage, and HVAC system applications.
The medical & healthcare sector is estimated to be leading consumer of antimicrobial coatings.
The medical & healthcare segment led the overall antimicrobial coatings market in 2020, both in terms of value and volume. In the medical & healthcare industry, the growing concern about hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) and its related impact on humans are major driving factors for the antimicrobial coatings market. There has been a significant increase in the patient pool across the globe due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the treatment of these patients, temporary hospitals and facilities have been established in several countries, wherein the utmost care has been taken to avoid the spread and growth of the COVID-19 virus and other bacteria on the surfaces. For the same, these temporary and existing healthcare facilities are applying antimicrobial coatings on the surfaces, such as door handles, trails, beds, healthcare instruments, and medical devices used for the treatment.
North America projected to account for the largest share of the antimicrobial coatings market during the forecast period.
North America is projected to have the largest share in the global antimicrobial coatings market, in terms of both value and volume, from 2021 to 2026. The North American antimicrobial coatings market is driven by the rising demand from the medical & healthcare sector to inhibit the growth of bacteria and microbes, causing HAIs. In North America, the US is severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic compared to Canada and Mexico. There is a significant increase in the demand from the medical & healthcare application due to the COVID-19 pandemic to evade the transmission of bacteria from surface to surface. Several manufacturers supply antimicrobial coatings to these facilities to ensure the safety of patients and hospital staff. Also, due to the stringent regulations pertaining to the indoor air quality, the HVAC system manufacturers are incorporating antimicrobial coatings on surfaces to ensure the required air quality by inhibiting the growth of mold and bacteria.
AkzoNobel (Netherlands), The Sherwin-Williams Company (US), Axalta Coating Systems (US), PPG Industries (US), Nippon Paint Holdings (Japan), and DuPont de Nemours (US) are the key players operating in the antimicrobial coatings market.
1 Anti-virus performance • Effective against human coronavirus NL-63 (99% efficacy) - with 30 min of exposure on the painted surface (based on certificate of analysis issued by IMSL UK) • This is NOT tested for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• Virus and bacteria can also spread through other external/Internal surfaces.
2 Anti-bacteria performance *Dulux Wash & Wear has been tested against six types of bacteria as per TUV-JIS Z 2801 test method. Dulux Wash & Wear sample was found to meet the anti-bacterial performance requirements for the following set of bacteria: - Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 9027) - Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538P) - Bacillus subtilis (ATC 6633) - Salmonella typhimurium (ATCC 14028) - MRSA (NCTC 12493) - Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739)