High-speed manufacturing of antimicrobial paper

Recently, there has been an increased interest antimicrobial surfaces that can potentially find uses in applications such as food packaging, water purification and health care settings. For example, in the United States, healthcare associated infections (HAIs) result in 2 million infections annually with significant morbidity and ca. 5 % mortality (up to 25 % at the intensive care units) [1]. This makes HAIs the fourth leading cause of deaths in the US in 2009 killing more people than HIV and breast cancer combined. A common way in which harmful bacteria are transferred between people and patients is through surfaces touched by both. Therefore, various types of antibacterial surfaces, including antimicrobial paper, could reduce complications and costs arising from HAIs.