Antimicrobial additives are substances added to products to inhibit the growth and spread of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. These additives can be used in a variety of applications, including medical devices, cosmetics, household products, food packaging, and water treatment. They are used to help prevent the spread of disease and to protect people from harmful microorganisms. Antimicrobial additives can be either natural or synthetic and can be applied as a coating, sprayed on, or incorporated into the product. Common uses of antimicrobial additives include reducing odors, preventing spoilage and discoloration, and inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungi. The antimicrobial additives market size is projected to reach USD 5.5 billion by 2026 from USD 4.0 billion in 2021, at a CAGR of 6.6%.

BASF SE (Germany), DuPont De Nemours (US), Microban International (US), Sanitized AG (Switzerland), LyondellBasell (Netherlands), Avient Corporation (US), Biocote (UK) and Milliken Chemical (US) are the major players in this market.

DuPont operates under five different segments, namely, Nutrition & biosciences, safety & construction, transportation & industrial, electronics & imaging, and non-core. The company offers antimicrobial solutions through its nutrition & biosciences segment. The company has a dominance in The US and other European regions, and they are gradually increasing their presence in South America.

On February 2021, DuPont completed the merger of Nutrition & Bioscience business which is a DuPont subsidiary with a subsidiary of International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. ("IFF"). BASF SE is a diversified chemical solution provider and manufacturer of a broad range of chemical products with high-end industrial applications. The company operates through seven business segments: chemicals, materials, industrial solutions, surface technologies, nutrition & care, agricultural solutions. and others. BASF offers antimicrobial additives through its industrial solutions segment. It primarily operates in Europe and has an active presence in North America, Asia Pacific, South America, Africa, and the Middle East countries.

In January 2020, BASF closed its acquisition of the polyamide business from Solvay and broadened the capabilities of engineering plastics for innovative solutions. In November 2020, BASF SE constructed a new plant for additives business in Pontecchio Marconi Italy. This expansion will help to strengthen the company’s position. With this expansion they will be able to deliver wider range of solutions increase the revenue. Microban International Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of W.M. Barr & Company, Inc. It manufactures antimicrobial additive solutions for the protection of products offered by the consumer goods, commercial, textiles, building, and healthcare industries in the US and internationally. It has operations in North America, Europe, and Asia.

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