Calgary-based on-demand print and information solutions provider WCD has used a special antimicrobial wrapping film to help protect staff at a local distributor’s warehouse from contracting and spreading Covid-19.
 
The virus has caused unprecedented disruption in regions around the world since it was first discovered in late 2019, with concerns that the new Omicron variant could also bring further issues to businesses.
 
In an effort to minimise this disruption and protect the health and wellbeing of its workers, planning, design and construction business WII Projects Calgary approached WCD to come up with a plan to create a café/kitchen experience that provided a safe area of relaxation for staff.



The project also included the production of a range of graphics for the facility, with the main challenge for WCD being to ensure the protective film that it used allowed the images to show through the film, while at the same time minimising the spread of Covid-19 and other viruses and bacteria,
 
WCD opted to work with Drytac Protac AMP film with Microban antimicrobial protection, a special technology that significantly reduces the chance of both mould growth and bacterial contamination on higher-risk touch-surfaces such as counters in food preparation areas.
 
When microbes meet the Microban reservoirs in the film, the cell wall of the microbes is disrupted, meaning the film surface proides constant additional protection against the spread of microbial contamination such as Covid-19, as well as MRSA, Streptococcus, E.coli and Salmonella.
 
Drytac Protac AMP functioned as a laminate and was applied to surfaces throughout the kitchen area, covering a range of high-touch surfaces that otherwise would have been unprotected and potentially had the risk of spreading the Covid-19 virus among staff at the company.
 
The clarity of the film meant that the graphics design underneath was clearly visible, while the Protac AMP film did not impact the performance of the graphics, nor the food preparation surfaces.
 
“With Drytac Protac AMP, WCD was able to provide added protection against viruses and harmful germs,” WCD signage solution specialist (national) Stacy Underhill said. “Thanks to its matte finish, we were able to protect the surface’s graphics, without light washout to the graphics.
 
“The antimicrobial qualities of Drytac Protac AMP also means that the area requires less cleaning, which in turn ensures that the vinyl-covered areas are much less susceptible to damage from constant wiping and scrubbing.
 
“Products such as Drytac Protac AMP enable us to address any interior decor or signage antimicrobial protection needs.”