Silver Shield film arrives at Graphica Technologies

from NZ Printer. Dec 2009

On Wednesday 25 November, Graphica Technologies held a function at its Auckland headquarters, premiering the BioLam Silvershield®, a breakthrough in laminating technology; introducing the UV Coatmaster coater; and launching Trans Continental Lamination and Coating Solutions

Addressing an audience that included the US Consul and representatives from four other countries, Derek Wright, Managing Director of Graphica Technologies presented the BioLam Silvershield®, explaining some of the theory behind the technology He said, “The laminate film is impregnated with silver ions. These ions repel microbes, acting as a silver shield against bacteria. The silver ions within Silvershield® inhibit the transport functions of the bacteria’s cell wall. Thereafter the silver ions interrupt the cell’s energy generation and finally it prevents the cell’s ability to reproduce.

“Silver as an antimicrobial agent has been used for centuries in medical applications as well as protecting food products from spoilage. Due to its ability to provide an inhospitable surface on which bacteria is not able to survive, Silvershield® would be extremely effective in fighting bacteria that would be a catalyst for SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).”

Wright added that laminated and UV surfaces transmit bacteria when people interact with products and he believed the new laminate would assist in fighting disease. He suggested applications for book covers, menus, charts and counter mats, which would gain optimum protection if finished using the Silvershield® laminate.
The Silvershield® has FDA, USDA, NSF and CTFA approval and certification and was therefore widely accepted by various health, food and cosmetic authorities, according to Wright.

Alan Phillips, national sales manager Graphica Technologies, said that Silver Shield would be available to contract laminators in Australia and New Zealand via Graphica Technologies as it has exclusive distribution rights throughout the southern hemisphere. However, it would also be available through Graphica’s new subsidiary Trans Continental Lamination and Coating Solutions (TCL) to printers who wanted the product applied as a finishing material. Phillips said that TCL was essentially a contract laminator and would be entering the market with Silver Shield as its flagship product.

Other news
Graphica Technologies also featured its new UV Coatmaster 50, which the company believes will generate interest for its small footprint and affordable price tag.