Antimicrobial Copper Cutting Offered
Water jet cutting equipment
UK company P.P. Plasma Ltd is now offering an
Antimicrobial Copper cutting service, able to cut or process
Antimicrobial Copper sheet and plate. Their Abrasive Water
Jet cutting service offers advantages over other cutting processes,
giving a clean and accurate finish with minimum taper, leaving no
Heat Affected Zone. This supply of copper alloy cut profiles
offers new options for manufacturers interested in supplying
Antimicrobial Copper touch surface products to the healthcare
environment, such as work surfaces, push plates, light switches,
tabletops and dressings trolleys.
16th August 2012
Copper is inherently antimicrobial, meaning it will rapidly and
completely eliminate bacteria and viruses that settle on its
surface. Over 350 copper alloys benefit from this
antimicrobial efficacy, and together they are termed 'Antimicrobial
Copper'.
Clinical trials in hospitals around the world have been
undertaken to study Antimicrobial Copper's potential for reducing
contamination and infection risk in the healthcare
environment. These have shown a greater than 90% reduction in
contamination on Antimicrobial Copper touch surfaces compared to
non-copper equivalents. Furthermore, preliminary data from a
recent US study shows that replacing just six frequently-touched
surfaces in an intensive care unit room reduced a patient's risk of
acquiring a hospital infection by greater than 40%.
This solid base of evidence has led to the installation of
Antimicrobial Copper products in hospitals and healthcare
facilities in the UK and around the world, as well as in schools,
care homes, transport hubs and other areas where the spread of
infection is a concern. UK manufacturers have responded with
a wide variety of products, and P.P. Plasma Ltd aims to facilitate
further market developments.
"We have started to see the use of copper increase from our
customer base and also are aware of the Medical sector's adoption
of the material," explains P.P. Plasma Ltd's Managing Director,
Peter McCabe. "We aim to develop this service as a major
division of the business and support UK manufacturers in their use
of copper-based products."
Customers of P.P. Plasma Ltd will start to see the Cu+ mark on
all communications concerning their copper-related products and
services. This mark indicates that the International Copper
Association, has granted permission to P.P. Plasma Ltd to market
Antimicrobial Copper products, based upon adherence to strict usage
rules. These rules guide an organisation's understanding of
the underlying technology and the way they promote, advise and
deploy it in line with existing research, regulatory and
legislative requirements.
P.P. Plasma Ltd will now offer cutting services for copper and
copper alloys of thicknesses ranging from 0.5mm - 150mm. Its
portfolio consists of all major cutting technologies: Water Jet,
Laser, Plasma and, most recently, Bevel Water Jet. Its C.A.D.
department also works to reduce the quantity of material used, with
the aim of reducing cutting time and material cost.
For more information on this service, and a range of
Antimicrobial Copper touch surface fixtures and fittings, medical
equipment and furniture, visit the Antimicrobial Copper Services and Product
Directory.
View press release [116kB]
For further information contact:
Bryony Samuel
Communications Officer
01442 275705
bryony.samuel@copperalliance.org.uk