Sappi North America Introduces Neoterix™ST

sappi-na-sharkletSappi North America, a producer and supplier of diversified paper and packaging products, has entered into a license agreement with Sharklet Technologies, Inc. to manufacture and distribute casting and release paper featuring the ground-breaking Sharklet™ microtexture. The new release paper is the first of its kind that creates surfaces that inhibit bacterial growth without the use of toxic additives or chemicals. The product will be the first in Sappi’s new Neoterix™ line and will be available to customers under the name Neoterix ST.

The patented Sharklet microtexture is biomimicry in action, as it is inspired by the texture of shark skin. Shark’s skin features a unique texture and pattern which naturally slows the growth of barnacles and algae. According to a published study in Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control, when applied to high touch surfaces, the microtexture reduced surface contamination of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) by as much as 97 percent and 94 percent, respectively, compared to controls.

Like all of Sappi’s release papers, Neoterix ST acts as a mold for coated fabric and laminates. It is used to transfer texture and gloss onto these surfaces and is then stripped away. Sappi has developed new technology to impart the Sharklet microtexture, at micron-level fidelity, onto its release papers. Manufacturers will be able to transfer the Sharklet micropattern and its microbial resistance properties onto new product surfaces. Sappi is ramping up production and expects Neoterix ST to be commercially available globally in early 2017.

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