American Seating to begin applying antimicrobial coating to products
An antimicrobial coating will be applied to all American Seating’s high-touch surfaces of its seating and securement solutions starting June 29.
The coating treatment will be applied to American Seating products prior to shipment.
The company has selected Aegis Microbe Shield, an EPA-registered surface coating that provides an invisible barrier to inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew, with continuous protection for one year. Aegis bonds to the surface and creates an environment that prevents organisms from attaching and thriving on treated surfaces.
“With the many challenges that transit authorities face today, we’re focused on doing our part to help protect the health and safety of riders on American Seating-outfitted transit vehicles,” said American Seating Director of Marketing Doug Oswald.
For reapplication or application to existing transit vehicles, American Seating also is offering five-gallon containers of ready-to-use Aegis Microbe Shield.
The antimicrobial coating can help keep American Seating products cleaner, fresher and even lengthen durability, according to the company. The coating also will make seats easier to clean and improve cleanliness between cleanings.
How the coating works
Aegis Microbe Shield forms a protective coating that molecularly bonds with surfaces upon application. Bacteria are attracted to the coating’s positive charge and, after coming into contact with the treated surface, they quickly die.
When applied to surfaces, Aegis forms a colorless, odorless, positively charged polymer that attracts, then electrocutes and ruptures, a microbe’s negatively charged cell membrane. Aegis inhibits the growth of microbes on surfaces by utilizing a charge-disruption mode of action.
Aegis is attracted to the microbe’s cell wall and neutralizes the cell wall’s natural protection by interacting with cellular proteins needed to maintain cell wall integrity. Its charge-disruption mode of action leads to the eventual breakdown of the microbial cell (also known as lysis), eliminating odor, stains and deterioration.
Aegis is not a disinfectant but rather a nanoscopic biostatic surface protectant that protects surfaces between cleaning. Its use complements daily disinfection and only needs to be applied once a year.
