A biocidal powder coating suitable for application to MDF and metal has been unveiled.

The brainchild of British engineers Harry Brodie and Rainer Clover, BioCote claims to be the world’s first powder coating to incorporate an active agent designed to inhibit the growth of bacteria.

It is to be launched in the UK by wood powder coating pioneers Sonneborn & Rieck under an exclusive licence from the Wolverhampton-based developer BioCote Ltd.

The product is already causing a stir amongst manufacturers of products for hospitals and other healthcare institutions, food processing and handling plants, public dining areas, rest homes, washrooms and toilets and leisure and child care centres.

&#8220Harmful bacteria pose a serious, often fatal, threat to many vulnerable people, especially children. By using this new powder coating on their products, manufacturers can help remove this threat.”

Peter Rieck, managing director Sonneborn & Rieck

Electrostatically-applied, the BioCote finish is similar to conventional powder coatings and it is now in production at Sonneborn & Rieck’s Chesterfield pplant.

Peter Rieck, managing director of Sonneborn & Rieck, said: ‘Harmful bacteria pose a serious, often fatal, threat to many vulnerable people, especially children. By using this new powder coating on their products, manufacturers can help remove this threat.’

The company also believes the new finish will have applications in domestic situations, including kitchens and bathrooms.