1. What is silver-based antimicrobial technology?
PROTECT® products are made with Microban®, an active antimicrobial ‘ingredient’ that can be added to a wide range of consumer, industrial and medical products to help prevent the growth of bacteria on the surface of the item. As it is integrated at the point of manufacture, Microban® delivers enduring surface protection for the lifetime of the product. The technology developed by Microban® and Panariagroup in PROTECT® porcelain tiles and slabs is silverbased.
2. Is the SilverShield® antimicrobial technology in PROTECT® line products always active?
Yes – The silver antimicrobial technology developed for porcelain stoneware and laminated porcelain stoneware products from the PROTECT® line, offers antimicrobial product protection constantly, day and night, 24 hours a day, with and without the need for sunlight. Unlike other technologies, it does not need UV light to be effective.
3. Can the antimicrobial technology be applied to tiles of any colour?
Yes – Microban® silver antimicrobial technology does not alter or whiten the original colour of the ceramic surface (unlike other technologies), and can therefore be applied onto any coloured tiles and slabs, even the darker ones.
4. Which micro-organisms is Microban® technology effective against?
The Microban® antimicrobial additive integrated into PROTECT® products has been proven effective against a range of gram positive and gram negative bacteria including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
5. the action of Microban® antimicrobial technology permanent on PROTECT® tile surfaces?
Yes – The Microban® protection developed for Panariagroup is not an organic based treatment applied to finished products (such as in the case of waxes or resins), but is permanently integrated into the tile during the industrial firing process. Therefore, it can’t be washed away or consumed.
6. Does this protection begin working immediately?
Yes – The integrated technology in PROTECT® line products is always active. As soon as bacteria come into contact with the treated surface, the antimicrobial protection developed with Microban® works to disrupt their vital life processes and biological functions, meaning they cannot grow or reproduce. The result is a tile surface that stays cleaner and fresher in-between cleaning.
7. Does this protection wear off over time?
No – Microban® active ingredients are incorporated into PROTECT® line of products during the manufacturing process. Evenly distributed throughout the surface this technology actively protects the entire surface area throughout the entire lifecycle of the product.
8. What is the main advantage provided by the antimicrobial protection in PROTECT® products?
This technology, together with regular cleaning operations, contributes to improved levels of surface cleanliness, freshness and durability. This protection provides a continuous action against the growth of bacteria that can cause biofilms, bad odours and staining.
9. Is this protection safe?
Yes – Microban® antimicrobial technology used in PROTECT® line products has a long history of safe use. In addition, this technology is used in various industrial, consumer and healthcare products such as water filters, stationary and much more. The active Microban® antimicrobial protection used in PROTECT® tile surfaces is notified in Europe in accordance with the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) No. 528/2012 and has undergone extensive independent laboratory testing. It is also registered with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The active Microban® antimicrobial protection used in PROTECT® tile surfaces is listed in Europe in accordance with the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) No. 528/2012 and has undergone extensive independent laboratory testing.
10. Are ceramic surfaces naturally resistant to bacteria?
No – Even though many ceramic tiles have a nonporous surface, which provides an important benefit in keeping bacteria from penetrating, bacteria can still multiply and grow on the surface. As Microban® antimicrobial technology is integrated into PROTECT® products, it helps prevent the growth of bacteria on the tile surface, where it is most needed.
11. Do PROTECT® products need to be cleaned?
Yes – The built-in antimicrobial product protection is not a substitute for a thorough cleaning routine. This silver-based technology provides an added level of surface protection against degrading bacterial growth
12. Is it necessary to follow particular precautions when installing products from the PROTECT® line?
No – These products are installed in the same manner as normal tiles, following the procedures in force in various countries and described in Panariagroup installation guidelines and Technical Manuals.
13. Is it easy to clean PROTECT® line products?
Yes, cleaning PROTECT® line items is easy, as indicated in the general catalogue. As the action of the active agents of Microban® happens on the surface of the tile, it is important not to use any cleaning products that create a film that would block the contact between the tile and the bacteria. During cleaning and maintenance activities, do not use detergents containing wax or that create films on the surface and do not apply resin, wax, protective substances, etc.
14. How does this protection differ from that of disinfectants?
Detergents and disinfectants are an immediate but short term solution. They offer a very limited residual activity after the drying of the treated surface. Bacteria can then very quickly start to grow and reproduce once the surface becomes recontaminated. On the other hand, Microban® antimicrobial additives, integrated in PROTECT® products, guarantee long lasting surface protection, continuously working to prevent the growth of bacteria everyday, in-between cleaning and throughout the entire lifecycle of the product.
15. Can antimicrobial tiles contribute to generate resistant strains of bacteria?
Dangers from resistant strains of bacteria are primarily related to antibiotic resistance in which bacteria no longer respond to a specific antibiotic. The Microban® antimicrobial additives designed for the ceramic tiles and slabs of the PROTECT® line are not antibiotic. They have multiple targets and modes of action on the bacteria (unlike the majority of antibiotics which are target specific). This reduces the risk of potential resistant strain development.