Biacticap, the coating developed by the Midlands-based paper coater has been found to be 99.8% effective in preventing the spread of the superbug.

Carrs sales and marketing director Tony Davies said Biacticap has the ability to be used on most flexible substrates such as paper, and even nurses gowns, face masks and textiles as well as bed linen.

Biacticap has been in development by Carrs for the past 10 months, and is set to be reviewed by the NHS rapid review panel in the next few months.

It could also be developed further to prevent the spread of other disease-causing bacteria such as e-coli and listeria.

Davies anticipated there would be considerable interest in the product, and said the firm had 40,000 tonnes of coating capacity to meet potential demand.

The Journal of Hospital Infection had identified paper, used for doctor's notes and patients records, as an excellent host and carrier for all types of diseases, and could even spread the disease from hospitals to the general public.

However, the Biacticap coating could be used to prevent items such as three-part carbonless forms from carrying the bug.

"Because Biacticap is inorganic, it provides continuous protection against bacteria mutations," said Davies.

"We see this as a USP for some of our customers who are printing forms for the pharmaceutical market."

Carrs is planning to extend the application to other flexible substrates such as plastics, film, non-woven materials and textiles, enabling Biacticap to protect most flexible surfaces in hospitals from spreading the MRSA bug.

The firm is also looking to develop a surface wipe with the coating.

Story by Andy Scott