February 5, 2007—Domtar Inc. has introduced the first antimicrobial office paper available in North America, the company says.
Designed to protect paper against the growth of bacteria, odors, fungus, mold and mildew, this product is specially treated with a silver compound that kills most bacteria that come into contact with it. Although conceived for general office use, the paper’s unique characteristics make it ideal for the healthcare, laboratory, hospitality, education, and governmental sectors.
Laboratory studies show that one bacterium can reproduce into 10 billion bacteria in just 10 hours, according to the Microbe World Web site. Independent laboratory tests on Domtar Antimicrobial Office Paper demonstrate a 99% reduction of MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and K. pneumoniae. The paper also inhibits the growth of bacterial odors, mold, mildew, and fungus while maintaining the antimicrobial features through its shelf life, making it ideal for archival purposes. Additionally, Domtar Antimicrobial Office Paper retains its antimicrobial properties even after printing and varnishing.
According to the company, similar products exist in Europe and Asia, and Domtar is the first company to bring an antimicrobial office paper to North America.
Domtar Antimicrobial Office Paper is manufactured under a licensing agreement with SilverCo, a developer of antimicrobial-patented technology. The antimicrobial compound has been registered with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA).
For more information visit the Domtar Web site.
