Corus joins Microban to launch anti-bacterial steel

Corus has introduced a new pre-finished anti-bacterial steel product - which is being used in the construction of the world's first anti-bacterial food production factory at Southall, Middlesex.

The product, known as Assure, has been developed in conjunction with anti-microbial protection specialist Microban.

Assure steel is pre-finished with a coating that contains an active anti-bacterial component. This works continuously to stop bacteria such as salmonella and E.coli from functioning and reproducing.

Corus claims it keeps working even if the coating surface is abraded.

Jeremy Hughes, a Corus spokesman, said the product had been developed in response to "growing public concern and stringent requirements for hygiene-critical environments, particularly in the food supply chain".

Corus hopes Assure will be used extensively in the construction of industrial food production factories, currently a buoyant market.

The Southall factory, at 10,000m2, is the largest of its kind in Europe. The client for the project is Noon Foods, one of the fastest growing ready-meal producers in the country. It has opened five new factories in the last seven years.

Assure steel is being used for all ceiling and wall panels in high-risk food production areas.

Using Assure panels will only add a small percentage to the cost of a project, according to Noon Foods' project manager Steve Exley. "Installing a typical panel normally works out at £55/m2; with Assure, it works out at just under £57/m2.

"The actual installation process is also pretty much the same," he added. "You wouldn't know they were any different to look at."

The factory's total construction cost will be £14m. The £4m shell was completed by Balfour Beatty earlier this year, with the fit-out work, including installation of the Assure panels, handled by specialist contractor Clegg Food Projects.

The panels were made from Corus steel by Cardiff-based cladding firm Eurobond, with the Assure finish completed by Corus.