PaperGard™
Anti-viral | Anti-bacterial Product Protection
Designed for use in applications where surface protection is a priority reducing risk from bacteria or viral contamination.

Safety and hygiene is now the number one concern for people when it comes to packaging.
More than three quarters (77%*) of Britons now consider the hygiene of the products and packaging they interact with and almost half (45%*) of us believe those concerns for safety and hygiene will remain after the pandemic.
This James Cropper paper innovation means there need not be a compromise of hygiene over beauty in the production of paper and packaging products. This topic was the subject of discussion by our PaperTalks panel - watch the webinar here.
*2,164 general UK adult consumers surveyed for James Cropper, October 2020
Reducing Risk of Surface Transmission of the COVID-19 virus

PaperGard™ is proven to be effective at reducing the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, on the surface of paper.
2020 test results show that the PaperGard™ protected papers reduced the viability of the viral strain by over 95% in only 15 minutes, and by 99.9% within 2 hours when tested against ISO 18184*.
This James Cropper paper innovation means there need not be a compromise of hygiene over beauty in the production of paper and packaging products. This topic was the subject of discussion by our PaperTalks panel - watch the webinar here.
(*Scroll down to bottom of page for ISO Test Certificate)
SILVER TREATED PAPERS PROVIDE PRODUCT PROTECTION
Respiratory viruses can be transmitted where someone touches a surface that has been contaminated. Recent studies show Coronaviruses can remain viable on metal, glass, wood, textiles, plastic and paper surfaces from several hours to a number of days. PaperGard™ allows paper products exposed to high touch volumes to in effect ‘self-sanitise’, without affecting the appearance or performance of the paper itself.
How PaperGard™ works

PaperGard™ incorporates Polygiene BioMasterTM antimicrobial technology from the leading Scandinavian product protection and hygiene specialist, Polygiene Group.
Polygiene BioMaster is highly effective against the growth and proliferation of bacteria and enveloped viruses on porous surfaces such as textiles and paper.
APPLICATION SUITABILITY
PaperGard™ by James Cropper is designed for use in applications where surface protection is a priority and where reducing risk from bacteria or viral contamination may be a consideration, including but not exclusively:
• Shopping bags
• Folding boxes
• Greetings cards
• Envelopes
• Medical stationery
• Folders and leaflets
• Other products subject to multiple handling
PRINT SUITABILITY
Suitable for all major print and converting processes relating to the product application.
How does Biomaster® protection work?
Polygiene BioMasterTM technology has been developed to fight harmful micro-organisms. When the micro-organisms come into contact with a BioMaster protected surface, the silver ions prevent them from growing, producing energy or replicating, and therefore they die.
Download DATA SHEET
UK TECHNICAL SERVICES DOCUMENT - download here
USA TECHNICAL SERVICES DOCUMENT - download here
Mill Collection PORCELAIN with PaperGard™ - download here
TARGET SECTORS Packaging, Stationery, Publishing, Healthcare Documents

What is the science behind PaperGard™?
Unlike antibiotics, micro-organisms are unable to build up a resistance to the way in which silver ions disrupt their growth.
• Silver ions bind to the cell wall of the micro-organism; preventing growth
• Silver ions interrupt enzyme production; stopping the microbe from producing energy
• Silver ions interrupt the cell’s DNA; preventing DNA replication and new cell formation

How effective is silver ion technology on paper?
The latest testing with SARS Cov-2 (the COVID-19 virus), using the ISO 18184 testing method to determine anti-viral
activity, shows papers containing the PaperGard™ technology were proven effective at reducing the viability of the viral strain by over 95% in just 15 minutes.
In tests and clinical trials PaperGard™ with BioMaster has been proven to reduce the overall level of MRSA and E.Coli bacteria on the paper surface by up to 99.99% using the ISO20743 testing method to determine anti-bacterial activity conducted in an independent, internationally recognised laboratory.
Can silver ion technology safeguard against Coronavirus?
We have data showing that PaperGard™ (>95% inactivation within 15 minutes) is highly effective against SARS Cov-2,
the virus responsible for Covid-19, on the paper surface.
PaperGard™ anti-microbial technology is effective 24/7 for the lifetime of the treated article.
PaperGard™ can therefore complement current hygiene guidance offering additional product protection.
Is silver ion technology safe?
Yes. It is based on technology recognised for centuries with no harmful effects and is used widely in medical, food and water applications.
• Non-toxic • Phthalates free • REACH compliant • EN-71 compliant • Non-leaching
What can silver treatment protect against?
Independent laboratory tests have proven the technology to inhibit the growth of bacteria and viruses including:
• Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
• Salmonella
• Legionella
• Campylobacter
• E.coli
• Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE)
• Norovirus
• Feline Coronavirus
• SARS Cov-2

How long is the treatment effective for?
The silver ion treatment in PaperGard™ is effective for the life of the product, it is incorporated into the paper during manufacture and it cannot be removed with any amount of wear and tear. It becomes an integral part of the material.
What is Coronavirus?
According to the World Health Organization, Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).
The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain of coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.
Does the treatment affect a product in any way?
No. You can’t see, smell or even taste it!
What happens if I over-print the product?
Print with minimal surface coverage is absolutely fine. For complete over-printing or overall coating with a varnish we recommend the addition of the treatment into the print or varnish itself. Together with Polygiene BioMaster we can provide recommendations and solutions for specific conversion processes.

How do I know my product has protection?
You can rest assured that when you stipulate PaperGard™ treatment on your product, there is a chain of custody in production to verify the legitimacy of our material.
If required, certification can be organised via an independent laboratory.
MILL CERTIFICATIONS
- ISO 14001 cert. no. EMS 57536
- ISO 9001-2000 cert. no. FM 10048
- ISO 50001:2011 cert. no. ENMS 623280
- ISO 45001 cert. no. OHS 93474
- FSC® STD-40-004 cert. no. INT-COC-002478
- PEFC ST 2002:2020 cert. no. INT-PEFC-COC-002478
- Manufactured in Great Britain
ISO Test Certificates
ENVIRONMENTAL CREDENTIALS
- Anti-Microbial
- REACH Compliant (EC No 1272/2008)
- Controlled Wood Sources
- CONEG Compliant
- Fully Recyclable
- Elemental Chlorine Free
- 94/62/CE & EN71-3 Compliant
- CHP Recycling Energy
