NOVARON Inorganic Antibacterial Agent

NOVARON is a fine powder with a uniform particle size, low moisture absorption, and excellent heat resistance. It can be readily and uniformly incorporated into fibers, films, and molded plastic-resin products, and it also disperses extremely well in coatings. Its physical and chemical properties are highly stable, providing excellent resistance to staining and discoloration during both processing and use.

NOVARON also offers a high level of safety and has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

NOVARON antibacterial powders are available in grades tailored to different product types. A variety of antibacterial masterbatches and slurries are also offered to meet individual customer requirements and provide greater formulation flexibility.

1. NOVARON Grades and Recommended Applications

Grade	AG300	AGZ330	AGT330	VAG500	VZ900
Active Ingredient	Ag	Ag,Zn	Ag	Ag,Zn	Zn
Carrier	Zirconium phosphate	Zirconium phosphate	Zirconium phosphate	Glass	Glass
Average Particle Size	0.9 μm	1.3	0.5	8.0	5.0
Moisture Content	<1%	<1%	<1%	<1%	<1%
Recommended Applications	Fiber Film Coatings	Molded plastic products Coatings Engineered marble Tiles Sanitary ware	Fiber	Molded plastic products Engineered marble Tiles	Film Molded plastic products Coatings Engineered marble

2. Antibacterial Performance of NOVARON (The following test data were provided by the manufacturer and are for reference only.)

NOVARON effectively inhibits a broad spectrum of microorganisms. Table 2 lists its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against various microorganisms. MIC is the lowest concentration of an antibacterial agent required to prevent bacterial division and proliferation; the lower the MIC, the greater the antibacterial efficacy against that organism.

[Table 1] Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) Against Various Microorganisms (Agar Dilution Method) — Unit: mg/mL

Test Organism	Characteristics	AG 300	AGZ300	AGT330	VAG500
Escherichia coli	Indicator organism for contamination of food and drinking water	125	125	125	500
Escherichia coli O157	Verotoxin-producing bacterium that causes food poisoning	200	200	125	500
Pseudomonas aeruginosa	Pathogen associated with spoilage of fish and meat	125	250	125	500
Salmonella	Bacterium that causes typhoid fever, food poisoning, and related illnesses	250	250	250	500
Staphylococcus aureus	Bacterium that causes suppurative infections, sepsis, and food poisoning	250	250	250	500
MRSA [Note 1]	Bacterium associated with healthcare-associated infections	250	250	250	500
Bacillus subtilis	A major spoilage bacterium in milk and meat	250	250	250	500
Candida albicans	Pathogenic yeast that causes candidiasis	500	250	500	1000
Cladosporium	A common mold found in residential environments	500	500	500	1000
Aspergillus niger	A common mold found in residential environments	1000	500	1000	1000

3. Durability of NOVARON Antibacterial Performance (The following test data were provided by the manufacturer and are for reference only.)

NOVARON provides long-lasting antibacterial performance and retains excellent activity after water-resistance and light-resistance testing.

[Table 2] Antibacterial Durability Test

		Untreated	After water-resistance test 16 h at room temperature	After 8 h light-resistance test
Bacterial count at start of antibacterial test		2.2 ×10⁵
24 hours after start of antibacterial test Bacterial count	Polypropylene sheet without NOVARON	1.3 ×10⁷	1.0 ×10⁷	1.8 ×10⁷
	With 0.5% AGZ330	<10	<10	<10
	With 0.5% VAG500	<10	<10	<10

Processing method: blended into polypropylene resin and injection molded

Water-resistance test: durability test method for antibacterial-treated products established by the Society of International Sustaining Growth for Antibacterial Articles (SIAA)

Light-resistance test: durability test method for antibacterial-treated products established by SIAA

Antibacterial test: JIS Z 2801, Section 5.2, test method for plastics and resins

4. NOVARON Microbial Resistance-Development Test (The following test data were provided by the manufacturer and are for reference only.)

Repeated exposure of microorganisms to the same antibacterial agent can potentially lead to resistant strains. Numerous reports have documented the emergence of MRSA ([Note 1], methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) following repeated exposure to methicillin. NOVARON resistance-development testing, however, indicates that resistant strains are unlikely to develop during its use.

[Table 3] Resistance-Development Test for NOVARON AG300 (Unit: mg/mL)

Test Cycle	MRSA (Note 1), NS 455	Pseudomonas aeruginosa 11D P-1
1	250	125
3	250	125
5	250	125
8	125	125
10	250	250

Test method: The culture from the highest concentration permitting bacterial growth was used as the inoculum for the next passage. This procedure was repeated for 10 consecutive passages, and the MIC (mg/mL) was measured after each passage.

[Note 1] MRSA: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

5. NOVARON Safety

NOVARON’s high level of safety has been confirmed through a variety of tests.

In addition, the AG series has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and can be safely used in food packaging and related applications.

NOVARON Safety Test Results (The following test data were provided by the manufacturer and are for reference only.)

Test Item	AG300	AGZ330	AGT330	VAG500	VZ900	NaCl (control)
Acute Oral Toxicity, LD50 (OECD [Note 2], rat)	>5000 mg/kg	>5000 mg/kg	>5000 mg/kg	>5000 mg/kg	>5000 mg/kg	3000 mg/kg
Mutagenicity (Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare occupational safety and health criteria)	Negative	Negative	Negative	Negative	Negative	Negative
Primary Skin Irritation (OECD, rabbit)	Very slight	Very slight	Very slight	Very slight	Very slight
Skin Sensitization (OECD, guinea pig)	Negative	Negative	Negative	Negative	Negative
Cytotoxicity, IC50 (Japanese Pharmacopoeia, 13th revised edition)	69-88 mg/ml	22-25 mg/ml	—	—	—

[Note 2] OECD: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

6. NOVARON Heat Resistance

NOVARON retains the same antibacterial performance even after heating to 800°C.

7. NOVARON and SIAA

SIAA establishes uniform Japanese standards for the performance and safety of antibacterial agents and antibacterial-treated products, supporting the widespread use of high-quality, safe products. NOVARON was designed in accordance with SIAA criteria and has obtained the SIAA certification mark.

8. Applications

Fibers	Antibacterial polyester, nylon, and polypropylene yarns; apparel (underwear, socks, shirts, blouses, medical garments, uniforms, workwear, etc.); bedding (sheets, quilts, etc.); masks, gloves, swimwear, hats, handkerchiefs, towels, cleaning cloths, curtains, and carpets
Household Products	Kitchenware (sink units, scouring sponges, dish brushes, drain strainers, cutting boards, etc.); personal-care items (combs, hairbrushes, razor handles, cups, toothbrushes, etc.); bathroom products (washbasins, bathtubs, shower handles, etc.); hangers, umbrellas, raincoats, waste bins, and slippers
Leather Goods	Shoes, insoles, gloves, belts, watch straps, leather bags, chairs, and suspenders
Water Treatment	Water tanks, pipes, hoses, cooling towers, and vending-machine piping
Home Appliances and Electronics	Air-conditioner filters, ventilation fans, air purifiers, humidifiers, bedding dryers, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, dishwashers, refrigerators, rice cookers, water heaters, automatic coffee makers, mobile phones, fax machines, computers, televisions, video recorders, audio recorders, cameras, audio tapes, and video tapes
Sporting Goods	Sports equipment, sportswear, gloves, athletic shoes (for golf, skiing, sledding, tennis, etc.), and windbreakers
Toys	Dolls, stuffed dolls, papier-mâché, origami paper, obstacle balls, puzzles, and game consoles
Healthcare	Hospital beds, casts, surgical gowns, and bandages
Cosmetics	Cosmetic containers and foundation
Building Materials and Residential Fixtures	Wallpaper, tatami mats, vanities, kitchen counters, tiles, and sanitary ware
Civil Engineering	Coatings, joint fillers, plaster, and sandboxes