From gratings to stair treads and work platforms, the surfaces in food and beverage facilities can be a breeding ground for microbes. Regular washing and sanitizing goes a long way toward keeping these surfaces clean, and these steps will always be essential, but it does not hurt to make it harder for odor, stain, and product-degrading microbes to proliferate in the first place. That’s the benefit of using antimicrobial building materials such as Fibergrate® FRP gratings with Microban®.
How Does Microban® Work in Our FRP Composite Resins?
When included in specialized resin formulations like our FGI-AM® molded products, Microban® helps reduce the overall microbial load. While fiberglass reinforced plastic may appear smooth, it has micropores like all plastic materials. These tiny holes can sometimes harbor odor and stain-causing bacteria and fungus (including mildew). This is more likely to occur in environments where organic materials (such as food particles) and moisture are always present.
While FRP stands up very well to environmental wear and tear, it can benefit from added protection from microbe overgrowth. Microban® works by reducing the overall stain, odor and product-degrading microbial load on surfaces, reducing lingering odors, reducing the risk of staining, and protecting against the degradation of the fiberglass reinforced plastic over time. This technology is designed to provide persistent product protection throughout the lifetime of the antimicrobial building material in which it is included.
Could Microban® Help Your FRP Last Even Longer?
As you know, high-quality fiberglass reinforced plastic from Fibergrate is designed to outlast and outperform other common building materials. We are, after all, Building the World to Last®.
One way we help ensure the longevity of our composite products is by keeping up with the latest technologies and designing new formulations. The addition of Microban® to our proprietary resins is an example of how we continuously improve our products. Here’s what Microban® has to say about the benefit of using antimicrobial building materials.
“Incorporating built-in antimicrobial technologies in various building materials has been shown to extend product lifetime. These materials benefit from an added layer of protection against the adverse effects of stain and odor-causing microbial growth, resulting in enhanced product cleanliness and longevity. Microban® antimicrobial technologies work 24/7 throughout the useful lifespan of building products to maintain the necessary added level of product protection. The technology is infused during manufacturing, so it never washes off or wears away.”
As a leader in FRP innovation, we are delighted to have this partnership with the leading provider of antimicrobial technologies for building materials.
Which Fibergrate® Products Feature Microban®?
Because the food & beverage and water/wastewater treatment industries have antimicrobial reduction as a top concern, Fibergrate has a number of products available that feature Microban® technology. These include FGI-AM molded products such as:
- Fibergrate® Molded Grating
- Fiberplate®
- Stair treads
- Safe-T-Stand® Work Platforms
These examples are just the beginning. High-touch surfaces are common areas for microbial activity. This means guardrails, handrails, and ladders are additional product lines where having antimicrobial building materials will be a plus. These Fibergrate products will soon feature Microban® as well.
Stay tuned for additional product updates. To talk with your local sales representative about antimicrobial building materials from gratings to stairs and platforms, click below.
Microban® antimicrobial product protection is limited to the product itself and is not designed to protect the users of these products from disease causing microorganisms, food born illnesses, or as a substitute for normal cleaning and hygiene practices. Microban International, Ltd. makes neither direct nor implied health claims for the products containing Microban® antimicrobial product protection. Data, photomicrographs and information presented are based on standard laboratory tests and are provided for comparative purposes to substantiate antimicrobial activity for non-public health uses.
Microban® is a registered trademark of Microban Products Company.
