The Russian NLMK Group, a global steel company, has developed a new product: steel with antibacterial coating. It is claimed to protect the metal’s surface from hazardous microorganisms and can be used in facilities with strict cleanliness and safety requirements.
The new coating is based on compounds of copper and silver ions, which destroy the cell membrane of bacteria and fungi upon contact. This enables a 100% reduction of bacteria on the steel surface. The ions are injected directly into the coating material, which NLMK claims makes the product more resistant to mechanical impact and preserving the antibacterial effect for decades.
According to NLMK, the antimicrobial properties of NLMK steel have been confirmed at all stages of technology development and industrial testing. They are in line with the state standards (GOST) and have successfully passed expert appraisal by the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of the Russian Health Ministry. Product market launch is planned for early 2022.