Antimicrobial Hot-Melt Adhesives: Enhancing Safety and Hygiene in Medical Applications

How UV crosslinkable hot melts can be enhanced with antimicrobial additives.

By adhesive specialists at artimelt, Sursee, Switzerland.

Antimicrobial Hot-Melt Adhesives: Enhancing Safety and Hygiene in Medical Applications

How UV crosslinkable hot melts can be enhanced with antimicrobial additives.

Thanks to their versatile properties, UV-cured hot-melt adhesives offer innovative and sustainable solutions for a number of applications. In the medical field, they are characterized by high levels of chemical resistance and stability, while at the same time can be formulated to be skin friendly and hypoallergenic. They can also be equipped with additional functions, such as an antimicrobial effect that kills bacteria and, in doing so, reduces the risk of infection in wounds or protects packaging contents. UV technology also has its advantages in industry, especially where the applications mean coming into contact with food.

Reliable Medical-Sector Solutions

Adhesives solutions provider artimelt presented its first medical solutions in the 1990s. Hot-melt adhesives for sensitive skin and water-absorbing adhesives for wound dressings soon followed. In recent years, the company has significantly expanded its product portfolio, as additional functions are becoming more important in modern wound care products.

Antimicrobial hot melt adhesives for the medical sector must meet the highest biocompatibility and hygiene standards. They do not contain latex, rosin, or phthalates and are ideal for applications where the focus is on skin contact, sterility, and safety. Development and production are carried out in accordance with ISO 13485 and consider the requirements of the MDR (EU Medical Device Regulation).

Medical Applications

Antimicrobial adhesives are typically used in medical technology for wound treatment with plasters, wound dressings, and other products. They help to prevent infections and therefore promote healing.

They are ideal for setting up and fixing catheters, respirators, and dialysis machines, which must be both sterile and safe. Antimicrobial adhesives are also excellent for surgical products such as drapes, disposable instruments, and other surgical supplies, minimizing the risk of post-operative infections.

There are multiple reasons why hot melts are particularly beneficial for these kinds of challenges. First off, they provide a strong adhesive force on a variety of materials such as plastics, metals, and textiles. Secondly, they stay flexible even after being cured. As a result, in many cases they make a significant contribution to ensuring the functionality of medical devices and equipment. Other benefits include adjustable adhesion, even when already placed on the skin, and breathability and the longer application times that come with it.

The fact that the antimicrobial hot melts are transparent can also play a role, in the case of incision films or wound dressings for example, which make it possible to observe the wound without having to remove the dressing.

Properties

As they are both water and temperature-resistant, these antimicrobial adhesives are suitable for use in a variety of environments. They are also resistant to a variety of chemicals and fluids, including body fluids, disinfectants, and other medical solutions.

Medical devices must be sterilized in their packaging, using common processes such as ethylene oxide, gamma rays, and X-rays. The packaging must prevent contamination over a longer period of time. This applies just as much to plasters, syringes, surgical wipes, and other surgical equipment. The UV crosslinkable medical hot-melt adhesives from artimelt withstand sterilization without any problems.

When in use, the fast and reliable adhesion is decisive for the safe and efficient fixation of medical devices and materials or for wound care. This saves time and increases safety, especially in work processes such as preparing for surgery or patient care.

Industrial-Sector Applications

In industrial applications, these antimicrobial hot-melt adhesives inhibit the growth of microorganisms in food packaging, extend shelf lives, and protect pharmaceutical packaging to prevent the microbial contamination of drugs and medical products.

Temperature-resistant pressure-sensitive and laminating adhesives with antimicrobial properties are also very important in the textile and clothing industry, especially for protective clothing in the healthcare sector — anywhere where anti-microbial protection, temperature resistance, and adhesion are critical.

Optimal Formulation and Application

Working together for optimal formulation and application, artimelt produces antimicrobial adhesives in close collaboration with the customer. The customer explains what bacteria need to be inhibited, what the applicable regulatory requirements are, and which antimicrobial agents are potentially suitable — often the specifications significantly limit the available options. Based on this information, the company evaluates the appropriate dosage together.

Once the antimicrobial agent formulation has been established, artimelt develops a suitable hot-melt matrix with the required properties so that the antimicrobial agents can deliver their full effect. The company often starts with a reference product and refines the formulation iteratively until it reliably achieves the desired effect. The company also pays attention to compatibility, adhesion, and other relevant requirements. It tests several variants in the laboratory and produces initial samples, which then undergo microbiological testing and practical application tests, for example adhesion, flexibility, and durability tests.

From Pilot Phase to Mass Production

The company starts pilot production with the selected formulation in reduced quantities. This allows artimelt to test whether the desired properties can also be reliably reproduced at production scale. With its state-of-the-art coating system, artimelt's Experience Lab enables the company to produce small batches under realistic production-like conditions and to work closely with the customer.

Once the formulation has been validated, artimelt produces the adhesive in the required quantity and accompanies the customer during the transfer to its production process. On request, artimelt also provides on-site support to ensure optimal coating and processing.

Conclusion

Due to their specific properties, antimicrobial hot melts are suitable for a variety of uses. They ensure hygiene, safety and efficiency, fast processing, targeted adhesion, flexibility, and resistance to water, temperature, and chemicals. This means they can meet high standards in both the medical and industrial sectors. With over 20 years of experience with UV crosslinked hot melt adhesives and decades of medical expertise, artimelt provides a solid foundation for reliable and safe adhesive solutions. Thanks to the strong focus on biocompatibility, users can get the most out of the innovative, sustainable and safe adhesive technology.