Safe, silver-based antimicrobial protects binders from bacteria, mold and other microbes

August 2, 2006 — /BUSINESS WIRE/ — AgION TechnologiesFORT WORTH, Texas & WAKEFIELD, Mass. — Samsill Corporation, one of the world’s largest independently owned manufacturers of ring binders, sheet protectors and business accessories, today announced the introduction of its new CleanTouch(TM) Ring Binders with AgION(R) silver-based antimicrobial technology. AgION’s technology protects the binder from microorganisms such as bacteria, mold and fungi. Samsill’s CleanTouch binders are the only binders in the market that feature AgION antimicrobial protection.

“Our CleanTouch antimicrobial Ring Binders are designed to promote cleaner environments – at work, at home, in hospitals, in restaurants and hotels, in our children’s schools,” said James Bankes, President and Chief Executive Officer of Samsill Corporation. “Office products have been proven to harbor odor causing bacteria and molds. While frequent cleaning can decrease the number of microbes on the surfaces and supplies around us, we hardly ever clean these products. The AgION antimicrobial was the ideal technology for Samsill since it continuously combats microbes in a way that is safe, effective and environmentally-responsible.”

In 2002, Researchers at the University of Arizona conducted a study to assess the spread of microbes in an office environment. They found that the average desk harbors 20,961 micro-organisms per square inch, which is more than 400 times the number of micro-organisms found on the average toilet seat. Studies have also shown that microbes can live on surfaces for up to 72 hours.¹

The AgION antimicrobial compound incorporated into the CleanTouch(TM) Ring Binders is comprised of naturally occurring silver ions. Silver has long been recognized for its antimicrobial properties and humans have used silver for thousands of years to combat a wide range of microbes. It was used by the ancient Egyptians to purify drinking water, and by the American pioneers to prevent the growth of bacteria in milk. Silver is also commonly used in medical treatments, and can be found in products ranging from topical burn care ointments to infant eye drops.

The AgION antimicrobial in the CleanTouch binders provides continuous and long-lasting protection from microbes by releasing silver ions to the binders’ surface at a slow and steady rate – combating existing microbes as well as any new ones that come along. The patented microscopic AgION antimicrobial powder is bonded at a molecular level to prevent the growth and migration of microorganisms and to last throughout the life of the product.

“The fact is, bacteria can live on surfaces for up to three days, yet people rarely clean objects like binders that they touch and share with others every day,” said Jeff Trogolo, Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer, AgION Technologies. “The incorporation of the AgION antimicrobial into the CleanTouch binders can help make environments such as offices and schools cleaner by fighting microbes safely and continuously. We are very excited to work with Samsill to incorporate the AgION compound into the CleanTouch Ring Binders.”

AgION’s antimicrobial compound has been proven effective against a broad range of microbes, including bacteria, algae, and fungus such as mold and yeast, yet safe enough for human and food contact. It is less toxic than table salt and less irritating than talcum powder. AgION’s antimicrobial has been approved for food and water contact by the Environmental Protection Agency and is listed as an indirect food contact substance with the Food and Drug Administration.

About Samsill Corporation

Samsill Corporation is one of the world’s largest independently owned manufacturers of information storage and presentation products, computer cases and other sewn business accessories. With corporate offices and manufacturing facilities in Fort Worth, TX, Samsill has grown from a small family business to an international corporation serving the office products, retail and education markets. For more information about Samsill and its family of products, visit www.samsill.com.

About AgION Technologies

AgION Technologies, located in Wakefield, Massachusetts, is a leader in providing engineered antimicrobial solutions based on ionic silver that continuously inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold and fungus on a broad range of industrial, consumer and medical products. The company’s product SilverClene24, a disinfectant and virucide, has been proven effective against a variety of bacteria as well as viruses including HIV-1, Rhinovirus, Influenza, and Poliovirus. Since the company’s founding in 1997, AgION Technologies has raised more than $45 million from private investors, private equity funds and strategic partners including BASF Venture Capital and H.B. Fuller Ventures. Today, its customers include many leading brands such as Motorola, AK Steel, DuPont, Honeywell, Adidas, Sanford/Paper Mate, Ice-O-Matic and Oster. For more information about AgION Technologies, visit www.agion-tech.com.

1 “New Study Shows Cold and Flu Germs Spread Easily Throughout the Office.” Infection Control Today, November 13, 2002.

Contacts
AgION Technologies
Kate Casolaro, 617-443-9933 x338
[email protected]