AGXX – The innovative antimicrobial technology

AGXX is the innovative antimicrobial technology from Heraeus that works in a fundamentally different way than all conventional biocides, especially silver technologies.

AGXX is characterized by its innovative catalytic mechanism of action and thus offers numerous advantages compared to conventional antimicrobial technologies.

As a result of its innovative mechanism of action, AGXX's antimicrobial activity is long-lasting, effective against all types of microorganisms (i.e., bacteria, fungi, algae) as well as viruses, its effect is not based on the release of metals or harmful compounds into the environment, and additionally offers significant regulatory advantages.

AGXX particles kill microorganisms sustainably and highly efficiently, preventing contamination of products and surfaces and the formation of biofilms.

These properties make AGXX the perfect antimicrobial solution for a wide range of applications, including polymers, textiles, filters, paints, and coatings. Based on these properties, we at Heraeus are convinced that AGXX is the future in the combat against microorganisms and you can be a part of that future. Together we will find a solution for your products and eliminate the problems caused by microorganisms.

AGXX is a new highly efficient antimicrobial technology based on a catalytic reaction triggered by the interaction of two precious metals. In this process, oxygen is converted into reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the presence of air humidity. The ROS kill all types of microorganisms by first destroying their outer membranes and then the organelles and DNA of the microorganisms. The mechanism is based on a circular redox system, i.e., AGXX is not consumed instead it is continuously regenerated. In addition, the microelectric field between the two precious metals interferes with important cell membrane functions, thus accelerating the killing of the microorganisms.

Due to its innovative mechanism of action, AGXX works entirely without releasing metals or harmful compounds into the environment, thus providing long-lasting antimicrobial protection.

Due to AGXX´s innovative working mechanism based on a catalytic reaction rather than the release of metals or other harmful substances, the antimicrobial technology offers a variety of benefits:

Long lasting

• High chemical and thermal resistance
• Mechanism of action is based on a catalytic reaction and not on the release of substances (e.g., metal ions)

No resistance possible

• The multiple antimicrobial modes of action prevent the emergence of resistance
• Effective against MRSA and silver-resistant E.coli

Legally compliant

• Active substance class of "in-situ generated free radicals".
• Can be used today and in the future in accordance with the biocide product regulation

In addition to their effectiveness, antimicrobial technologies must also meet regulatory requirements to achieve long-term and sustainable success in the combat against microorganisms. The advantages of AGXX presented above quickly become clear through this overview.

AGXX can already be used in compliance with the Biocide Regulation (BPR) and will continue to be used in the future.

With the introduction of the Biocide Regulation (BPR) in 2012, which is still valid today, it was clearly defined which process a new antimicrobial technology must go through before it can be approved. Furthermore, the Biocide Regulation also stipulated that all antimicrobial technologies already commercially available at that time had to undergo a review in accordance with the new regulations.

This has had serious consequences for conventional technologies: More than half of the antimicrobial technologies reviewed to date have already been rejected by ECHA and will therefore disappear from the market in the medium term.

The consequences are particularly drastic for conventional silver technologies, which have been used for centuries. To date, no silver-based technology has been able to survive ECHA's review and gain approval because they exceed the permissible release limit of silver ions many times over. It can therefore be assumed that silver-based technologies will disappear completely from the European market in the near future.

Due to its mechanism of action, AGXX belongs to the free radical class of active substances, which are currently still in the ECHA approval process. However, corresponding products can already be used today (in accordance with Article 93 of the BPR), provided that, among other things, the manufacturer is listed as a supplier in accordance with Article 95 of the BPR.

To ensure that the AGXX technology can continue to be used safely and without problems in the future, Heraeus has taken over the active substance dossiers of the Leitha company in spring 2022 to play an active role in the approval process for "free radicals".