# Anti-Microbial Packaging Films Parkside Flexibles and Touchguard Bet on Sanitation in Packaging By Kalin Ned | Published 2020-09-06 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/antimicrobial-packaging1 References: [healthcarepackaging](https://www.healthcarepackaging.com/home/news/21172474/parkside-flexibles-parkside-collaborates-with-touchguard-to-launch-antimicrobial-packaging) & [touchguard](http://www.touchguard.co.uk/) Anti-microbial packaging is increasingly being deployed amid the COVID-19 pandemic as consumers' sense of safety and hygiene has intensified over the last few months. This innovation is the result of a collaboration between [Parkside Flexible](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/recoflex) and Touchguard—a surface protection supplier. The anti-microbial packaging differentiates itself on the market with a [special coating](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/microban-international-1) that is designed to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria. It is made with a "silver-based technology." The companies state that the coating can be applied as water or solvent-based finish, which allows it some degree of flexibility. It can be applied to a range of formats, including pouches, lidding films, and flow wraps. The anti-microbial packaging is currently being tested in labs to ensure its safety for consumers. Image Credit: Parkside Flexibles ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.0/10 - Popularity: 59% | Activity: 51% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [New Ventures](https://www.trendhunter.com/newventures) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Anti-microbial Packaging:** The trend of using anti-microbial packaging films to ensure hygiene and safety in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. - **Special Coating Technology:** The trend of incorporating silver-based special coating technology in packaging films to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria. - **Flexible Application:** The trend of applying anti-microbial coatings as water or solvent-based finishes on pouches, lidding films, and flow wraps. ### Who This Affects Most - **Packaging:** The packaging industry has an opportunity to leverage anti-microbial packaging films to meet the growing demand for hygienic and safe packaging solutions. - **Healthcare:** The healthcare industry has the potential to adopt anti-microbial packaging to enhance the safety and sanitation of medical supplies and equipment. - **Food and Beverage:** The food and beverage industry can benefit from using anti-microbial packaging films to ensure the freshness and longevity of perishable products. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Paper-Based Recyclable Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/recoflex.md) - [Flexible Paper-Based Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/parkside.md) - [Moisture-Absorbing Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/packaging-tech.md) - [Self-Cleaning Glass Bottles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/self-cleaning-glass.md) - [Eco-Friendly Food Coatings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plantbased-coating.md) - [Recyclable High-Barrier Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sappi-paper-packaging.md) - [High-Function Fish Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sudpack.md) - [Freshness-Enhancing Packaging Films](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lidding-film.md) - [Paper-Based Packaging Coatings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hyperbarrier.md)