Dulux Paints has launched Sterishield a new range of water-based coatings designed to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria on walls and ceilings.

The new product is expected to attract customers in the medical and hospitality sectors.
“We have seen in the UK and other parts of Europe that the MRSA super bug is a serious threat to health. Globally, the spread of harmful bacteria is a major concern for all hospitals and clinical institutes,” says Philip Mathew, general manager, Al Gurg Leigh Paints (AGLP), which manufactures Dulux paints under licence from ICI paints UK.
Last year, about 100 official cases of community MRSA, a potentially life-threatening bacterial infection, were registered in the UK with the Health Protection Agency (HPA). Around 25 per cent of the population are permanent carriers of the bacteria Staphylococcus Aureus for unknown reasons and between 20 - 30 per cent carry it up their nose all of the time.
In view of current happenings, a senior official of AGLP says that Dulux Sterishield was launched at the right time and would prove an effective defence for healthcare facilities and other public places in the region which seek total hygiene control.
Sterishield’s effectiveness lies in its active silver-based bactericide formula that combines with the durable and washable nature of the paint film. Launched last year in Europe, Dulux Sterishield has been independently tested in real-life conditions created to assess its impact on harmful bacteria such as MRSA, E coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In all cases Sterishield demonstrated a dramatic rate of decline in bacteria population compared to standard paint.
Independent laboratory tests in the UK have shown that even after 12 hours, 99 per cent of bacteria are eliminated on contact with Sterishield, compared to regular paint. After 24 hours, bacteria are still detectable on standard paint but not on Sterishield, according to the tests, the company said.
Dulux Sterishield is notified under the Biocidal Products Directive for Product Type 2 standard and is designed especially to prevent bacteria-related problems, while assuring durability and an outstanding finish.
Customers can also choose and create their own colour shade using the Dulux tinting system. The Sterishield range is suitable for both exterior and interior use and can be applied on concrete, plaster and wood.
Sharjah-based AGLP was established in 1988 to manufacture a wide range of industrial and decorative coatings. The protective coatings for the industrial, marine and petrochemical sectors, including coatings for fire protection, are manufactured under licence from Leigh’s Paints, UK.