Biospada is the effective LONG LASTING antimicrobial protector that is environmentally friendly. Thanks to the "SPADA" technology, Biospada continues to remove microorganisms from the surface until it is removed by abrasion. Biospada's toxicity rating is better than Vitamin C and more than six times better than coffee's!

Biospada Plus is the combination of a disinfectant, cleaner and long-lasting antimicrobial protector S.P.A.D.A., all in one product. Biospada Plus is available in multiple concentrations to use based on the frequency of cleaning and the severity of the microbial challenge.

What is S.P.A.D.A.™ antimicrobial product protection?

S.P.A.D.A.™ technology is the base for Biospada and Biospada Plus products. 

S.P.A.D.A.™ technology is built-in antimicrobial protection for products, coatings, fibers and surfaces. S.P.A.D.A.™ antimicrobial protection gives products an added level of protection against damaging microbes such as bacteria, mold, mildew, fungus, and algae that cause stains, odors and product deterioration. 

The active ingredient in S.P.A.D.A.™ forms a colorless, odorless, positively charged polymer that molecularly bonds to your products surface. You could think of it as a layer of electrically charged swords on the molecular level. When a microorganism comes in contact with the treated surface, the C-18 molecular sword punctures the cell membrane killing the cell and as an added measure the electrical charge shocks the cell. Since nothing is transferred to the now dead cell, the antimicrobial doesn’t lose strength and the sword is ready for the next cell to contact it. 

S.P.A.D.A. ™ provides continuous protection against the growth of harmful microbes such as algae, bacteria, viruses, mold and mildew that can cause stains, odors and product degradation. 

S.P.A.D.A. Protection ™ makes the products easier to clean and keeps them safer and cleaner between cleanings.

Additionally, S.P.A.D.A. ™ is environmentally safe, permanent and does not emit harmful volatile organic compounds (VOC) that are associated with climate change.

Conventional antimicrobials and biocides penetrate living cells and kill by poisoning the organism or disrupting a vital life process. They are designed to act quickly and dissipate quickly. Most commercial antimicrobials used for treating surfaces do an adequate job of killing bacteria and fungi, although most have a limited range of effectiveness. The S.P.A.D.A.™ technology takes a totally unique approach. Unlike the conventional methods, it provides long-term control of growth on treated surfaces, often for the life of that surface. The surface itself is modified to make it antimicrobially active until the layer of SPADA is removed by abrasion.

S.P.A.D.A.™ is effective against nearly all bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae, mildew and mold. A representative list of microbes against which S.P.A.D.A.™ has been tested may be obtained by contacting our corporate office.

S.P.A.D.A.™ forms a permanent covalent or ionic bond to most surfaces and cannot be washed off or leach into the environment. For example, testing has proven that S.P.A.D.A.™ still provides 94% reduction of standard test organisms on polypropylene fabric through more than 100 commercial launderings. Details may be obtained by contacting your sales representative. In general, the durability of S.P.A.D.A treatmetns is a strong function of the quality and durability of the surface to which it is applied.

No. Since the antimicrobial is permanently bonded to the surfaces it protects, it does not leach from the fabric to the skin or into the environment. Extensive toxicological testing shows the antimicrobial does not cross the skin barrier. Additionally, the chemistry has been tested and it shows very, very low toxicity.

S.P.A.D.A.’s active ingredient is 3-trihydroxysilylpropyloctadecyldimethyl ammonium chloride. The application level can vary by substrate, but generally the level is approximately 0.25% - 1% of the antimicrobial’s active ingredient of the weight of the substrate. The most commonly used product contains 0.5-1.25% active material. 

No. S.P.A.D.A.™ does NOT contain any heavy metals.

Other antimicrobials, however, often use heavy metals such as tin, arsenic, silver and copper.

No. S.P.A.D.A.™ does not volatilize, dissipate, or leach onto other surfaces or into the environment. The chemistry polymerizes where it is applied and forms a permanent bond that typically lasts for the life of the treated surface. Normal cleaning should not remove the treatment; although it can be abraded away. 

S.P.A.D.A.™ is applied in an aqueous solution and can be inserted into almost any wet process during manufacturing. It can also be applied directly onto finished goods. The antimicrobial is easily integrated into most jet, spray, bath, pad, and batch processes. The antimicrobial is cationic so it mixes well with other cationic and nonionic finishes (most softeners) and performs well in the same bath. 

Since the cured antimicrobial is nonvolatile, insoluble, and non-leaching, S.P.A.D.A. should last for the life of the treated surface. The life of a treated surface depends on a number of factors, not the least of which is surface preparation. If you treat a dirty or unstable surface, when the dirt comes off or the surface is disturbed, some of the antimicrobial will be removed with it. Abrasive or caustic (pH>10.5) cleaners will also shorten effective life. 

Yes. S.P.A.D.A.™ is based on an active ingredient that, in most cases, can be easily detected. A simple method of detection is available to demonstrate the presence or absence of the treatment. Bromophenol Blue (BPB) stain testing clearly shows the presence of S.P.A.D.A.™ in a matter of seconds. 

Microbiological testing is what sets the reference standard used.Our scientists have over 20 years of experience in conducting extensive microbiological tests, such as recoveries of bacteria, fungi growth tests (30 AATCC, ASTM G-21, ASTM D3273) and bacterial growth tests (AATCC 100, ASTM 2149-01). We have a long history of testing for viruses, bacteria and fungi in many products including concrete, wood, textiles and building products. Specific studies are available on our website or contact a sales representative.

The active ingredient of S.P.A.D.A. has been approved and registered with demanding national and international health authorities such as:

- INVIMA (Colombia)
- EPA (Environmental Protection Agency-USA)
- New Zealand Food Safety Authority
- Health authorities in Australia, UK and the EU.

Because of the exceptional chemical bond to the surface that is being protected, the bonded polymer is neither soluble nor volatile. The unique bond results in the S.P.A.D.A.™ antimicrobial polymer becoming an integral part of the substrate. 

No. Adaptation studies show that microbes do not adapt to S.P.A.D.A.™ and no “zone of Inhibition” develops. Therefore, microorganisms cannot adapt to S.P.A.D.A.™. 

No. The chemicals adhere at the molecular level and form an extremely thin film (typically 3 nanometers - a human hair is about 10,000 nanometers). This extremely thin layer does not affect the look and feel of the surface.