Covid-19 has drastically changed the perception of hygiene and cleanliness, spurring interest in antimicrobial coatings, according to a new report from Lux Research. These coatings previously struggled to find widespread adoption due to difficulties in quantifying their impact on human health, but the pandemic has drawn attention to them as an important safety measure.

In its new report, “Antimicrobial Coatings at the Front Line of Covid-19,” Lux Research outlines key challenges and opportunities for coatings, additives, and materials innovation and how they will impact several major industries.

 “Covid-19 has driven substantial interest in antimicrobial coatings this year and is proving to be a catalyst for antimicrobial research and funding,” said Tiffany Hua, Research Associate at Lux Research. “We expect this interest to spike even further before the end of 2020 and be a trend of continued interest in the materials and coatings industry.”

Major manufacturers like Ford Motor Company are talking about incorporating these types of coatings into their products, while startups like HeiQ bring out new antimicrobial coatings for applications like textiles. However, not all antimicrobial coatings are created equal – some are only effective against bacteria and not necessarily viruses, so users need to choose carefully. “When considering the wide range of solutions used as preventive measures against Covid-19, it is important to understand the limitations of these technologies,” explained Hua.

Other solutions like photocatalytic, enzyme-based, and bio-based coatings have also been shown to be effective against bacteria and viruses.

Light-activated, photocatalytic coatings are on the rise, thanks to their self-cleaning functionality and effectiveness against viruses. These coatings use materials like nano-titanium dioxide (TiO2) that absorb UV light and produce reactive radicals that break down organic compounds and pollutants on surfaces.

Lux Research expects major growth of antimicrobial coatings within the transportation and medical industries, as well as deployment in public spaces. Over the next two years, more opportunities will emerge within apparel, food, and packaging applications, while in the longer term, automotive OEMs and other consumer product companies will adopt them.