OUTPUT

Quantum UV Technologies, a provider of ink solutions to the wide-format graphics industry, has commented on its development of a new antibacterial ink which its plans to use to print advertisements on supermarket checkout conveyor belts.

Along with a bespoke liquid laminate, Quantum UV Technologies's ink shares characteristics with a quantum antiviral superbug ink (QASI) and is able to kill bacteria such as E. coli, MRSA and the salmonella virus 'with 99.9 percent effectiveness over a 24-hour period', according to the company.

"The ink and liquid laminate will continue to [kill bacteria] for up to six years or until the ink and substrate has broken down," Quantum UV Technologies director Eddie Tucker tells Output. "So far we have managed to produce a gloss and matt liquid laminate and [are] currently working on a solvent-based version."

The ink has been tested in Durst, Nur and Inca printers so far and Quantum UV Technologies says its customers have not had an ink-related problem in two years.

The company also offers an internal cleaning system for the supermarket checkout conveyors, designed to clean spilt produce from the adverts.