A polyurethane material with permanently bonded antimicrobial surface properties has been developed by DSM PTG (Polymer Technology Group). The polymer with surface-active alkyl ammonium chloride end groups has demonstrated antimicrobial action against gram-positive bacteria in a range of laboratory studies. Very small amounts of biologically active end groups are permanently incorporated into the polymer during its synthesis. After being extruded or molded into a medical device, the new material modifies its own surface as a result of the polymer's surface activity and self assembly of its novel end groups. In this way the antimicrobial groups are concentrated on the surface where they are needed. No secondary coating processes or treatments are required to provide the necessary antimicrobial properties, which reduces manufacturing times and the cost of goods. The polymers exhibit low water absorption, excellent strength and processability, high molecular weight, and effective contact-killing of Gram-positive bacteria relative to controls.

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There are companies that now put this material into all of their products and we don't even know it is protecting us. In bathrooms, hospitals and everywhere we travel these plastic products are preventing bacteria from ever forming to insure our health isn't adversley affected.