Antimicrobial Silicone Rubber


Antimicrobial silicone rubber is an ideal material for medical, healthcare, and industrial applications where the growth of bacteria on surfaces must be prevented. Canada Rubber Group Inc. (CRGI) is pleased to include neutraSil™ antimicrobial silicone rubber in its portfolio of materials from which to fabricate products for servicing antimicrobial applications.

The hazards posed by strains of lethal bacteria have, in recent years, been widely publicized. The significant MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) outbreaks that occurred throughout the US and the UK in 2005 and 2006 caused widespread concern among health authorities in each respective country. Controlling the growth and spread of these pathogens is key to limiting disease outbreaks.

neutraSil™ Antimicrobial Silicone Rubber

neutraSil™ works by inhibiting bacterial growth. Silver ions present in neutraSil™ silicone rubber absorb bacteria and microbes by breaking down their cell walls and inhibiting development of the micro-organisms. The silver ions provide ongoing protection by preventing further contamination and colonization on the surface of the silicone.

neutraSil™ is highly resistant to degradation from chemical and environmental factors such as ozone, oxidation, ultraviolet light, corona discharges, cosmic radiation, ionizing radiation and general weathering. The material has been independently proven to inhibit the growth and strains of MRSA, E. coli and Salmonella. neutraSil™ has also been tested to, and found compliant with, the requirements of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation 21CFR177.2600 for rubber articles in repeated contact with food, and EC 1935/2004 on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food.

Antimicrobial Silicone: Applications and Products

CRGI can service a wide array of applications with products fabricated from neutraSil™ antimicrobial silicone rubber. These applications include the following:

  • Food processing and foodstuff production

  • Pet food production

  • Beverage manufacture and supply

  • Agricultural applications, including dairy

  • Healthcare and medical device production and fabrication

  • Orthopedics and prosthetics

  • Pharmaceutical/nutraceutical manufacture and production

Products from antimicrobial silicone rubber that we can supply to service these applications include the following:

  • Gaskets and seals

  • Cushioning solutions

  • Stripping

  • Tubing

  • Mats and surface coverings

  • Custom fabricated shapes and profiles

If you have an application that would benefit from a product fabricated with neutraSil™ silicone rubber, our sales team will be pleased to speak with you.

For further information on the applications and products we can service with neutraSil™ silicone rubber, please contact us at crg@canadarubbergroup.com.