By Olivia Cahoon
Part 2 of 2
Digitally printed wallcoverings offer unique, decorated walls for branding and personalization in a range of environments from hospitals to restaurants and retail. Humid environments with wallcoverings are particularly at risk for mold and bacterial growth. Treated solutions for wallcoverings offer bacteria and mold protection—enhancing the wallcovering’s graphic and providing added durability for cleaning.
Wallcovering Treatments
Released in 2012, Continental Grafix offers panoRama Walk&Wall for indoor and outdoor walls—recommended for use with Marabu North America ClearShield Wall Armor for a fully protected treatment. Walk&Wall is a textured vinyl with a fabric backing and high-tack removable adhesive. “This prevents shrinking and allows for overlap seaming, which is faster and more friendly on textured surfaces,” says Marcel Medved, business development director, Continental Grafix.
Drytac offers Protac, an anti-bacterial laminating film for smooth wall surfaces. Protac includes a textured finish for resistance to abrasions. It’s resistant to chemicals and common household cleaners. “This 150u textured polyester laminating film features a durable anti-bacterial additive, which offers reliable protection from mold growth and bacterial contamination like MRSA, streptococcus, E. coli, salmonella, and more,” says Darren Speizer, VP, sales and marketing, Drytac. Protac is intended for environments where hygiene is particularly important like hospitals, nurseries, restaurants, and schools.
FLEXcon features Sharklet embossed films, pressure-sensitive clear vinyl overlaminates with micro-embossing designed to replicate the surface of shark skin. According to Dennis Brunnett, technical service specialist, FLEXcon, the topography repels micro-organism germ attachment, colonization, growth, and transference. Sharklet is non-toxic and non-leaching—it inhibits bacteria from attaching to the surface rather than killing it. Brunnett offers, “Sharklet’s objective was to create the world’s first technology that inhibits bacterial growth through a chemical-free micro-texture.”
Kernow North America’s KernowJet Interiors portfolio is designed for tough environments thanks to being treated with Bio-Pruf. The treatment inhibits the growth of micro-organisms like bacteria and mold. The material is water resistant and washable.
Koroseal Interior Products, LLC offers microvented wallcoverings for humid air susceptible to mold and mildew. Microvented wallcoverings contain 25,000 holes per square foot of surface area. The hole sizes are controlled to maximize the wallcovering’s permeability and maintain appearance. Microvented wallcoverings are designed to look identical to standard wallcoverings once installed.
Mactac Distributor Products’ PERMACOLOR PermaFlex IP6000 Series was released in 2002. It’s a 15-mil bacteria-resistant textured polycarbonate film that’s also FDA safe for direct food contact. According to Jason Yard, marketing director, Mactac, PermaFlex is very durable and scratch resistant—ideal for wallcoverings and floor graphics. PermaFlex IP6000 provides protection from abrasion and moisture.
Released in 2017, S-One Holdings Corporation offers the Vescom Digital Media line. Vescom is a PVC wallcovering that uses Marabu ClearShield Wall Armor. “Marabu ClearShield Wall Armor is a Type II wallcovering coating that can be applied to obtain the Type II certification after the wallcovering is printed,” says Jaimie Mask, product specialist, S-One Holdings Corp.
While Neenah Paper doesn’t offer treatment for wallcovering media, the company features a portfolio of paper-based and nonwoven-based wallcovering solutions. The wallcoverings are not pretreated but treated after printing to add a protective barrier for fabric and ink. “Neenah is one of the few suppliers to offer a complete 100 percent PVC-free wallcovering solution in both Type I and Type II,” says Greg Maze, sales and marketing manager, digital and wide format, Neenah.
Safety First
Applying treated solutions to wallcoverings helps ensure graphics are sanitary and durable. Wallcovering treatments are available as liquid laminates and overlaminates to protect against the harmful effects of bacteria, mildew, and mold.
Click on the link above to get more information on the vendors mentioned in this article.
Nov2017, Digital Output
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