Deutschland-Nederland Sustainable Surfaces & Membranes (S²M)

Pathogenic bacteria and fungi have no place in sanitary areas, hospitals, air conditioning and ventilation systems, kitchens and food processing plants. In the cross-border research and development project “S2M”, a consortium of companies and research institutions declared war on microorganisms. The focus was on antimicrobial surfaces and membrane technologies.

The Interreg project initiated by Netzwerk Oberfläche NRW e.V. involved 19 partners from the Netherlands and Germany. “The product and process innovations of surface technology in the border region were sustainably increased by the project”, explains managing director Martin Gründkemeyer after the end of the project. Nine product developments will be developed from laboratory samples to market-ready products after the end of the project and there are three company (spin-off) start-ups. In the field of antimicrobial surfaces, a polyurethane clear coat was equipped with antimicrobial nanoparticles, adhesives, sealants and gel coats were equipped with antimicrobial polymers, solar modules with antimicrobial surfaces were tested and a device for biofilm measurement on conductive surfaces was developed. A shower head developed for hygienically sensitive areas such as hospitals, a membrane used in food storage boxes to maintain the protective atmosphere, a (milk) filter membrane equipped with antimicrobial nanoparticles, and a novel membrane for fuel cells were developed in the area of membrane technology.

Bacteria and fungi can not only endanger health, but can also damage materials in production plants or cause energy consumption to skyrocket. Gründkemeyer: “In order to achieve antimicrobial surfaces, the use of conventional biocides and heavy metal compounds was consistently avoided. Alternatively, intrinsically antimicrobial polymers and high-energy nanoparticles were investigated and further developed for specific applications”.

Further information, also about the individual partners, is available in the digital booklet of the project (https://advanced-materials.nl/de).