SELF – DISINFECTANT SURFACES FOR HEALTHIER ENVIRONMENTS – NEW EU PROJECT WORKING ON INNOVATIVE HOLISTIC SOLUTION OF SMART RESPONSE ANTIMICROBIAL NANOCOATINGS

A great number of pathogenic microorganisms can survive for months on surfaces, causing the transmission of a wide range of infections, which are considered to be one OF the major single causes of death worldwide. Antibiotic resistant microbial infections alone are responsible for an estimated 110,000 LIVES LOST (OECD Health report 2016) and 1.5 billion EUR in healthcare costs and productivity losses per year.

Currently existing antimicrobial coatings raise concerns related to their antibiotic resistance, complex chemical synthesis, toxicity, non-biodegradability and extremely low sustainability in terms of product performance and environmental protection. The new Horizon Europe interdisciplinary project RELIANCE addresses the growing need for innovative antimicrobial coatings that are highly effective, safe, self-disinfecting and removing bacteria, fungi and viruses in a more efficient cost/performance ratio than the presently used petrochemical-based ones.

„Beyond the present-day possibilities of conventional chemicals, RELIANCE aims to design and develop smart response self-disinfectant antimicrobial nanocoatings with an antimicrobial action that is adjusted to the specific application. In this way, RELIANCE will contribute to having a healthier and more resilient society towards microorganisms, by mitigating the spread of infections and ensuring the health and well-being of citizens “

Miren Blanco, RELIANCE Coordinator and senior researcher at Fundación Tekniker