Antibacterial Technology Becomes New Consideration in Material Selection for Interior Spaces
Hygiene and cleanliness have now become key considerations in interior design, influencing not only management and maintenance but also the selection of materials. This trend is driving building material manufacturers to develop products that combine additional protective functions with aesthetic requirements.
One such development is the Infiniti Granite Tile, which utilises GERM SAFE technology. This technology employs Silver Ion Protection (Ag+) integrated into the glaze layer during the production process.
Developed by PT Surya Multi Cemerlang, a company under the Platinum Ceramics Group, this technology is designed so that the antibacterial feature is an inherent part of the material, rather than merely an additional coating applied to the surface.
Jali Wijaya, Marketing Director of PT Surya Multi Cemerlang, stated that GERM SAFE technology uses Silver Ions (Ag+) integrated directly into the glaze layer. The technology is claimed to help inhibit bacterial growth by up to 99.9 per cent, based on testing under specific conditions.
“Infiniti Granite Tile presents GERM SAFE with Silver Ion (Ag+) technology integrated directly into the glaze layer, helping to inhibit bacterial growth by up to 99.9 per cent. We hope this innovation can serve as a choice for consumers to support more hygienic spaces,” said Jali.
According to company materials, GERM SAFE has undergone laboratory testing against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus under certain conditions. The test results demonstrated the technology’s ability to help inhibit bacterial growth by up to 99.9 per cent.
The integration of Silver Ions (Ag+) is performed on the glaze layer during the manufacturing process. With this approach, the antibacterial feature is not placed as an additional layer applied after the material has finished production.
This technology is intended for materials used in spaces with high hygiene requirements, such as healthcare facilities, hotels and hospitality areas, educational institutions, sports facilities, commercial spaces, and residential homes.
In addition to the antibacterial feature, Infiniti Granite Tile also possesses scratch-resistant and stain-resistant characteristics. These features are part of the considerations for using materials in spaces that require durability and ease of maintenance.
Jali noted that the development of this technology is aimed at addressing the needs of consumers who are beginning to consider the functional aspects of materials alongside their appearance.
“We hope GERM SAFE can be a choice for consumers who consider not only aesthetics but also hygiene aspects when selecting materials for their spaces,” he added.
The development of materials with antibacterial features shows that the function of building materials is evolving. Materials previously chosen primarily for aesthetics and durability can now also be considered based on additional functions that support spatial needs.
For facilities with specific cleanliness requirements, the choice of material is one part of an overall space management strategy. However, the use of antibacterial materials should still be viewed as a supporting element and not a replacement for necessary cleaning and sanitation procedures.