Gulf Construction Online - Sigma helps keep bacteria at bay

Protective Coatings

Sigma’s new paints have anti-microbial properties.

Sigma helps keep bacteria at bay

01 January 2008

Dammam-based Sigma Paints, a leading manufacturer of decorative, marine and protective coating paints in the region, recently introduced an innovative anti-bacterial and fungicidal paint that promotes hygiene and prevents the spread of harmful micro-organisms.

Known as Sigmacryl Premium ABF, this environmentally-friendly waterborne product affords vital additional protection in buildings by making ceiling and wall areas safer to touch. It also helps to keep rooms fresher by not allowing the bacteria and fungi that cause unpleasant odours to set in, says Yanal Shekem, Middle East marketing manager of Sigma Paints Saudi Arabia.
Elaborating on effectiveness of the new product, Shekem says: “Virtually any public area represents a potential breeding ground for micro-organisms and good hygiene and cleaning practices are well-recognised and important elements for preventing the spread of these harmful micro-organisms. To complement these hygienic practices, Sigma Paints has developed Sigmacryl Premium ABF.
“While the new product looks and applies just like one of our standard high-quality emulsion paints, it is quite different from standard paints in its functional properties. Sigmacryl ABF contains silver ions and the functionality of this new product emanates from the natural ability of silver to inhibit the growth of a wide range of harmful microbes. The silver ions in the paint continuously migrate to the surface where they effectively suppress microbial growth on contact. This innovative product begins actively eliminating the harmful micro-organisms as soon as it dries and provides active protection all day every day, throughout the normal lifespan of the applied paint system. In addition, ABF continues to work even if the paint finish becomes worn, providing a significant advantage over other antimicrobial technologies.”
The product has been independently tested by Industrial Microbiological Services in the UK and is certified as 99.95 per cent effective as per the rigorous test standard JIS Z 2801. 2000: Determination of Antibacterial Activity, he states.
“This independent certification proves the effectiveness of Sigmacryl ABF against the most harmful of common bacteria, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli (E coli), providing the ultimate solution across the various sectors such as health care, hospitals, schools, as well as our public buildings and private residences where high standards of hygiene and antimicrobial protection are essential “ Shekem emphasises.
“Sigmacryl ABF also provides lifelong effective protection from microbiological contamination in the food industry, from the food processing plant through to the supply and outlet facilities such as restaurants and supermarkets, protecting them from microbiological contamination by arresting the spread of harmful bacteria,” he adds.
Headquartered in Dammam Industrial Estate, Sigma Paints is an ISO 9001-2000 certified company, dedicated to customer satisfaction and exports to countries across the Middle East.