Amtico has introduced an enhanced antimicrobial additive to selected LVT collections to protect against bacteria and reduce the presence of viruses.

Amtico’s Signature, Spacia, 36+, Form, and Marine collections feature the embedded antimicrobials, which have been independently verified (ISO 21702) against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Planks and tiles containing the additive have been shown to reduce the presence of the virus on a surface by more than 99.9% against the initial inoculation after 24 hours.

The enhanced technology makes LVT well suited to demanding commercial spaces where cleanliness and hygiene are vital, such as healthcare, education, and hospitality.  

The ionic silver antimicrobial additive has already been tested and proven to reduce the presence of bacteria, such as MRSA and E. coli, throughout the usable lifetime of the floor.

And, unlike organic antimicrobials, the additive is inorganic and non-leaching, meaning that it stays within the product.

Louisa Eyles, commercial marketing manager at Amtico, said: “Flooring needs to deliver on many levels – and now our core LVT collections work even harder with enhanced antimicrobial protection against bacteria and viruses.

“Amtico first introduced antimicrobials in 2019, but the new and enhanced additive goes a step further to reduce the presence of SARS-CoV-2, providing added peace of mind for designers, specifiers, and facilities managers.”

Applied to the urethane coating during production, the embedded antimicrobials provide an additional level of protection between regular cleaning cycles in high-traffic spaces.

The additive works against bacteria and viruses by creating a surface where microbes lose viability, causing them to die off faster.