Silver-based antimicrobial will provide FasTop™ Flooring Systems with continuous protection against a broad spectrum of microbes CLEVELAND and WAKEFIELD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sherwin-Williams, the largest single-source supplier of high-quality paints, stains, masonry coatings and brand-name wall and floor coverings in North America, today announced that it will incorporate AgION Technologies, Inc. antimicrobial protection in its FasTop™ product line of General Polymer brand flooring systems. The silver-based antimicrobial in the FasTop floor coatings effectively protects the cured coating against a broad spectrum of bacteria and mold, and can be used for applications in food processing facilities and other industrial spaces where microbial growth can be problematic. “FasTop seamless flooring systems are ideal for food processing and pharmaceutical production because they effectively perform in these aggressive physical and chemical conditions, while facilitating clean operations. FasTop flooring systems install quickly and eliminate historic problems associated with impermeable epoxy or polyester system. Now FasTop systems will incorporate the AgION silver-based antimicrobial technology bringing additional performance benefits to our customers,” said Tom Murphy, General Polymers Vice President of Marketing for Sherwin-Williams. “We are very excited to work with AgION Technologies, as it is a well-known and trusted name in the antimicrobial industry. In addition to the FasTop product line, we are looking to incorporate AgION’s antimicrobial technology into other lines of our flooring and coating products. We feel the AgION antimicrobial additive will help us provide our customers with safe, effective and long-lasting antimicrobial protected products in our industrial coating systems.” High foot and vehicle traffic, the movement of heavy equipment, and cleanings with hot water and harsh chemicals can cause severe damage to a floor’s surface. Damaged flooring is an ideal breeding ground for problematic bacteria since it provides a dark, damp refuge that is impervious to commonly employed cleaning techniques, such as disinfectants and sanitizers. As a result, odor-causing bacteria can live for hours – or even days – within the pits and crevices that can form on a floor’s coated surface from every day wear and tear. The AgION antimicrobial incorporated into the Sherwin-Williams coatings is comprised of naturally occurring silver ions. Silver has long been recognized for its antimicrobial properties and humans have used silver for thousands of years to combat a wide range of microbes. The AgION antimicrobial provides continuous and long-lasting protection from microbes by releasing silver ions at a slow and steady rate. This creates a continuous protective environment from microorganisms. The patented AgION antimicrobial technology is designed to last throughout the life of the product. “We are thrilled to work with Sherwin-Williams to provide AgION antimicrobial product protection in its FasTop industrial floor systems used in commercial food preparation areas,” said Ginger Merritt, Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at AgION Technologies, Inc. “There continues to be a growing concern about cleanliness within the industrial food preparation and processing industries. The General Polymers brand name is synonymous with high quality, professionally installed seamless flooring systems and will now feature the AgION antimicrobial technology to help protect against microbial growth on the cured coating surface.” AgION’s antimicrobial has been proven effective against a broad range of microorganisms, including bacteria, algae, and fungus such as mold and yeast, yet is safe enough for human and food contact. AgION’s antimicrobial has been approved for food and water contact by the Environmental Protection Agency and is listed as an indirect food contact substance with the Food and Drug Administration. www.generalpolymers.com www.agion-tech.com
