The anti-bacterial design features new Touchguard over lacquer to deliver a surface finish, which is said to prevent the growth of bacteria
Parkside Flexibles, Touchguard partner to introduce anti-microbial packaging. (Credit: Gerd Altmann from Pixabay)
Packaging solutions provider Parkside Flexibles has joined forces with surface protection solutions supplier Touchguard to introduce a new packaging solution featuring an anti-bacterial coating.
The new packaging solution allows brands to provide protection for consumers against bacteria.
The anti-bacterial design features new Touchguard over lacquer to deliver a surface finish, which is said to prevent the growth of bacteria.
Parkside new product development technical manager Mark Shaw said: “Our collaboration with Touchguard has enabled us to create a truly innovative and industry-leading packaging solution that will enable our clients to keep their customers safe.
“The current pandemic has had a significant impact on the way we view in every aspect of life hygiene, and we must be all doing what we can to protect ourselves.”
The silver-based technology allows customers to apply the coating as water or solvent-based finish. It can be deployed across various packaging formats such as flow wraps, lidding films and pouches.
Parkside has used the Touchguard technology during the print finishing process as a component of a specially formulated solvent-based over lacquer.
The technology adds only pence per square metre to the packaging production process, helping to reduce printing costs.
The coated packaging solution has been widely studied in lab applications
According to the company, the coated packaging solution has been extensively evaluated in lab applications and is observed to be stable.
Shaw added: “This latest packaging development from Parkside and Touchguard in no way replaces the need for careful hand washing.
“However, it is an innovative solution which can inhibit the spread of cross-contamination on packaging substrates that are not usually subject to any cleaning or infection control procedures.”
In January this year, Parkside Flexibles collaborated with UK-based coffee company Taylors of Harrogate to develop a new packaging solution for the latter’s range of coffee products.