Handcare

Making Responsible Choices

Not all biocides are created equal in terms of environmental impact. Lactic acid is a highly effective biocide, and when produced by fermentation is completely natural, sustainable and eco-benign. The combination of biocidal actives, mild plant-derived surfactants and plant-based emollients provides equivalent or better efficacy than existing biocidal technologies, with a significantly reduced carbon footprint. Lactic acid has four broad-acting mechanisms of microbial kill, meaning that the development of resistance is far less likely than for agents which rely on a singular mechanism to kill.  The four modes of biocidal action achieved by lactic acid are:

• Damage to outer cell membranes, causing leakage of cell contents
• Attacks to other cell structures, including proteins and DNA
• Prevention of protein synthesis
• Arresting energy production by the cell

It is important to make a responsible choice, not just in terms of product efficacy but also in terms of potential damage to the environment, ingredient sustainability and the short and long-term effects on human, plant and animal health.  

Alternative biocidal technologies for example can have a damaging effect on the environment in a short period of time even at low concentrations, in addition to cumulative long-term effects.  The more these disinfectant products are used, the more will ultimately be released into the environment and the more damage will be done.  

Efficacy is the most crucial part of the product makeup, particularly in light of the COVID pandemic. Our Foam Hand Sanitiser has a suite of EN test data carried out by independent, UKAS-accredited laboratories.