Queen’s award hat-trick for Addmaster
A company that champions the use of its Biomaster antimicrobial technology to protect products from bacteria and viruses has completed a hat-trick of Queen’s Award for Enterprise wins.
Addmaster UK, a leading developer of performance-enhancing additives for the plastic, paper, textile, paints and coatings industry, has secured its first win in the innovation category after using its technology to improve hygiene and preserve the environment by encouraging safer use of reusable products.
It is a perfect 20th birthday present for the Stafford-based business, which has again posted record sales from supplying hundreds of clients, including Dulux, Dyson and Marks and Spencer.
Addmaster has previously won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the international trade category in 2011 and 2018.
The award also recognises the firm’s contribution to eliminating plastic waste and improving public hygiene by creating a range of reusable plastics, including an antimicrobial coffee cup and its work with global retailers on creating the first antimicrobial ‘bag for life’ attracting specific attention.
Around 30 million bags have now being treated with Addmaster’s Biomaster technology, proven to inhibit the growth of bacteria and reducing the likelihood of contamination from repeated use.
Paul Morris, Addmaster's founder and chief executive, commented: "We are extremely honoured to have had our Biomaster antimicrobial technology recognised with another Queens Award for Enterprise.
“This prestigious accolade recognises our commitment to developing innovative solutions that are ahead of the curve and meet real life needs in healthcare, retail and industry.”
He continued: “Our most established technology is Biomaster and this has been joined by Verimaster (additive insertion for authentication and tracing), Scentmaster (fragrance and deodorising technology) and Masterpiece for creating bespoke additives.
“Our Biomaster reusable 'bag for life' and the antimicrobial reusable coffee cups are just two examples out of hundreds of antimicrobial products we have developed. They all demonstrate the important role our technology plays in giving the public additional hygienic protection when reusing plastics and textiles.”
The importance of hygiene is firmly in the public narrative at present, with Covid-19 presenting society with unprecedented times and a new ‘temporary’ way of life for people across the world.
Addmaster has been providing Biomaster protected items such as coatings, screens, nurses scrubs and PPE equipment to support social care and the NHS, including the new Nightingale Hospitals. Its technology is also exported around the globe to help other countries fighting the pandemic.
As well as their antimicrobial technology for plastics, the company also offers an established water-based technology that can be applied to fabrics or other porous surfaces, including paper and cardboard. The spray reduces the likelihood of a virus being able to grow on a surface and provides long-term product protection rather than a temporary one that you would get with disinfectant.
“Initially, this was produced to assist in combating the spread of Norovirus in conjunction with Warner Leisure,” added Paul.
He said: “As Norovirus is a more robust virus than Covid-19, we are excited to see what our latest testing shows, as we believe it will be a powerful weapon to help both this and future pandemics.”
Dr Lisa Ackerley, who is also known as the Hygiene Doctor, said: “I’ve worked with Addmaster for almost a decade now and am pleased that its constant stream of innovations has been recognised by the Queen’s Award.
“The accolade will further strengthen its growing presence in international markets and encourage it to press on with new antimicrobial and antiviral products.”
