From Contact Points to Confidence: Designing Hygiene into Public Spaces

Organisation: Material Innovation Insights / Date: June 2025

About Material Innovation Insights
Material Innovation Insights is a digital publication exploring the science, design, and impact of performance-enhancing materials. From hygiene-first solutions to sustainability and circular economy innovation, we provide thought leadership at the intersection of materials, health, and technology.

Introduction: The Hygiene Imperative

In a world reshaped by pandemic-era awareness, hygiene has moved from a background consideration to a frontline design priority. Public spaces that were once simply required to function efficiently — schools, gyms, healthcare settings, transport hubs — are now under increased pressure to offer visibly safe and hygienic environments.

This shift is more than cosmetic. Scientific studies have underscored the role that high-touch surfaces can play in microbial transmission, particularly in crowded or shared environments. As a result, users have developed a heightened sensitivity to cleanliness, and organisations are rethinking how to design materials and surfaces that support public health without compromising functionality or aesthetics.

While traditional approaches have relied on frequent manual cleaning and disinfectant use, these are limited by human error, cost, and environmental burden. A more proactive strategy is gaining traction: building hygiene into the materials themselves. Through the use of antimicrobial additives integrated at the manufacturing stage, surfaces can gain long-lasting protection against bacteria, mould, and even viruses.

This white paper explores how antimicrobial technologies — especially those embedded into plastics, coatings, and textiles — are helping transform public environments from high-risk contact zones into confidence-building spaces. By designing hygiene into the materials that make up everyday surfaces, we unlock a more sustainable, scalable, and reassuring future for shared spaces.

High-Risk, High-Contact: Where Transmission Starts

Public spaces are built for interaction — but this very function creates a challenge when it comes to hygiene. In high-traffic environments such as gyms, schools, hospitals, and transport systems, people come into contact with dozens, if not hundreds, of shared surfaces each day. These contact points are often overlooked during facility design but are key transmission nodes for microbial contamination.

Common high-touch surfaces include door handles, light switches, locker doors, gym equipment grips, touchscreen kiosks, handrails, seating, and toilet flushes. In schools, it extends to desks, shared supplies, and play equipment. In healthcare, it includes bed rails, curtains, and examination tables. In gyms, the list expands to free weights, yoga mats, and cardio machine interfaces. These surfaces are not only touched frequently, but often by multiple people in rapid succession, creating ideal conditions for microbial transfer.

Scientific studies have shown that bacteria and viruses can survive on these surfaces for hours or even days, depending on the material and environmental conditions. Pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Influenza A, and Norovirus have been detected on public contact surfaces — and in some cases, shown to spread indirectly from these materials to people.

The risk is compounded by inconsistent cleaning practices. Even in well-managed facilities, it is difficult to guarantee timely disinfection of every touchpoint. Manual cleaning is reactive, intermittent, and dependent on human behaviour — both from cleaning staff and end users.

This makes the case for preventative material solutions even stronger. By focusing on the materials used at these key touchpoints — and designing them with built-in antimicrobial properties — it becomes possible to reduce microbial contamination at the source. This is not just about safety. It's about restoring confidence in shared spaces, enabling people to interact with their environments more freely, and future-proofing public design for the post-pandemic world.

Antimicrobial Materials: What They Are and How They Work

Antimicrobial materials are designed to resist or inhibit the growth of microorganisms — including bacteria, fungi, and in some cases, viruses — on the surface of a product. Unlike surface disinfectants that require frequent reapplication, these technologies are typically embedded directly into the material during the manufacturing process, providing long-lasting, passive protection.

The core mechanism of most antimicrobial materials is the use of additives, which are active agents introduced into plastics, coatings, textiles, or other substrates. Among the most common and effective are silver ions, which disrupt microbial cell membranes, interfere with respiration and DNA replication, and ultimately lead to cell death. Other active agents include zinc pyrithione, quaternary ammonium compounds (quats), and copper-based additives, each with different mechanisms suited to specific applications and regulatory environments.

These additives can be integrated into a wide variety of materials used in public spaces:

• Polymers and plastics, such as PVC or polypropylene, used in lockers, handrails, and seating

• Textiles, including upholstery, curtains, or gym equipment padding

• Paints and coatings applied to walls, furniture, and fixtures

What sets antimicrobial materials apart is that their protective function is not reliant on user intervention. The antimicrobial effect is continuous and cannot be wiped or washed away, offering a safeguard between cleaning cycles and reducing the microbial load on high-touch surfaces.

Importantly, these materials are not a substitute for cleaning, but rather a complementary measure. By limiting microbial growth on treated surfaces, they help maintain a cleaner baseline and reduce the opportunity for transmission between cleaning events. For public space designers and facility managers, this means less reliance on visible cleaning to maintain user confidence — hygiene is now part of the infrastructure.

Real-world applications are already demonstrating the value of this technology. In fitness environments, gym equipment treated with silver-ion antimicrobial additives helps control bacterial build-up on shared grips and mats. In healthcare, antimicrobial curtains and bed rails are reducing microbial contamination in patient areas. In transport, touchscreens, buttons, and seating can be treated to reduce microbial survival time and offer passengers peace of mind.

As the science and application of antimicrobial materials continue to evolve, so too does their role in public hygiene strategy — from an optional enhancement to a foundational design feature.

Designing with Hygiene in Mind

Creating safer public spaces starts with the materials we choose and how we apply them. While cleaning protocols and signage play a visible role in hygiene, the underlying design of surfaces and finishes is equally critical. To build environments that are truly hygiene-first, antimicrobial materials must be considered from the earliest stages of product and interior design.

Material selection is the first step. Surfaces should be durable, non-porous, and able to withstand frequent contact and cleaning without degrading. When these base materials are enhanced with antimicrobial additives, they become an active defence layer — not only resisting microbial colonisation, but also helping to minimise odour, staining, and degradation over time.

Equally important is surface design. Smooth, easy-to-clean shapes without crevices or texture traps reduce the likelihood of dirt or microbes accumulating. For example, curved corners on lockers, flush-mounted door handles, and seamless seat covers all contribute to better hygiene outcomes — and when combined with antimicrobial surfaces, offer double the protection.

Antimicrobial technology can be embedded into a variety of substrates used across public environments:

• Plastics and polymers are common in gym equipment, transport seating, light switches, and lockers. These can be manufactured with built-in additives like silver ions for long-term protection.

• Coated metals and surfaces, such as hospital bed rails or door handles, can receive antimicrobial powder coatings or paint systems.

• Textiles, including curtains, wall panels, and upholstered furniture, can be treated during finishing or post-production with antimicrobial and odour-control agents.

In fitness centres, for example, antimicrobial foam padding and vinyl coverings on benches and mats help reduce bacterial growth in sweat-prone environments. In schools, treated desk surfaces and shared resource materials (such as headphones or learning tools) can help minimise cross-contamination among students. Hospitals increasingly rely on antimicrobial textiles for privacy curtains and medical gowns — surfaces that are in constant contact with patients and staff but are not always disinfected between uses.

The versatility of these technologies allows for a tailored approach: manufacturers can choose the most suitable antimicrobial additive based on the substrate, intended use, cleaning regimen, and regulatory requirements. In many cases, antimicrobial materials also offer secondary benefits, such as resistance to staining, odour control, or extended product lifespan — delivering value beyond hygiene alone.

By embedding hygiene into the materials themselves, designers and specifiers are moving from reactive cleaning models to proactive hygiene strategy — one that supports safer, more reassuring spaces for users, without compromising aesthetics, usability, or durability.

Balancing Hygiene and Sustainability

At first glance, hygiene and sustainability may seem like competing priorities. The increased use of cleaning chemicals, disposable wipes, and frequent product replacements in the name of cleanliness can create a significant environmental burden. But antimicrobial materials offer an important opportunity to bridge the gap — delivering safer public environments without sacrificing sustainability goals.

One of the key contributions antimicrobial additives make is the ability to extend product lifespan. Materials that resist microbial degradation are less likely to crack, smell, or stain prematurely. For example, antimicrobial vinyl used on gym equipment or hospital beds can maintain structural and aesthetic integrity over years of use, even under heavy wear. This reduces the need for early replacement, conserving both raw materials and manufacturing energy.

In addition, these materials can reduce dependence on aggressive cleaning protocols. While regular cleaning is still essential, surfaces treated with antimicrobial additives require less frequent or less intensive sanitisation to maintain a hygienic baseline. This results in lower consumption of chemical disinfectants, reduced water usage, and a decline in energy demands associated with heating water or powering cleaning equipment — especially across large-scale facilities like schools, transport hubs, and leisure centres.

Antimicrobial textiles also contribute to lower environmental impact through reduced washing frequency. Technologies that inhibit odour-causing bacteria help keep fabrics fresher for longer, cutting down on unnecessary laundry cycles. This is particularly relevant in healthcare and hospitality sectors, where linen turnover is high and laundering consumes vast amounts of water, energy, and detergents.

Moreover, long-lasting antimicrobial protection aligns with the principles of the circular economy. Instead of relying on disposable hygiene solutions or replacing items at the first sign of wear, treated materials are built to last — staying in use for longer and retaining functionality across their entire lifespan. Some additives are also designed to be compatible with existing recycling streams, allowing for responsible end-of-life processing.

Designing for hygiene no longer needs to mean more plastic, more chemicals, or more waste. With the right material choices, it is possible to create environments that are both hygienic and resource-conscious — safeguarding public health while reducing environmental impact.

Regulatory Landscape

The integration of antimicrobial additives into public-facing products brings clear benefits — but also demands careful consideration of the regulatory framework that governs treated materials. Understanding what can be claimed, where, and how, is critical for product manufacturers, designers, and marketers to ensure compliance and avoid misleading communications.

European Union – Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR)

In the EU, antimicrobial additives fall under the Biocidal Products Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 528/2012). The regulation distinguishes between two categories:

• Biocidal products, such as disinfectant sprays or antimicrobial coatings sold with an active claim.

• Treated articles, which are materials or products that have been treated with (or incorporate) one or more biocidal products.

Manufacturers of treated articles must ensure that the active substances used are approved by ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) for the relevant product type and that the treated article does not make any health claims unless specifically authorised. Permissible claims are limited to effects on the product itself, such as “helps inhibit bacterial growth on the surface,” rather than claims about health protection or disease prevention.

United States – EPA Treated Articles Exemption

In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees biocide use through the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Under this, the Treated Articles Exemption allows certain products to incorporate EPA-registered antimicrobial agents without registering the final product — provided no public health claims are made.

Like the EU, the EPA limits product claims to the protection of the article only, such as “antimicrobial protection built in to inhibit the growth of bacteria that may affect the product.” Claims implying that the product protects users or reduces disease transmission risk are strictly prohibited unless registered as a full biocidal product.

United Kingdom – HSE and GB BPR

Following Brexit, the UK operates under the GB BPR, a separate but closely aligned version of the EU regulation. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) oversees biocidal product approvals and enforcement in Great Britain. Requirements mirror those of the EU BPR, including the need for active substance approval and appropriate labelling for treated articles.

Manufacturers targeting both EU and UK markets must now track two parallel approval processes for actives and product types. While this adds complexity, harmonisation in language and principles makes dual compliance manageable with appropriate planning.

Global Best Practices

Regardless of region, companies should adopt substantiation-first marketing. This means:

• Avoiding health-related claims unless fully supported by regulatory approval.

• Using conservative, evidence-based language such as “helps reduce surface bacterial growth.”

• Keeping documentation of efficacy tests and additive sourcing.

• Ensuring that additive suppliers are aligned with current regulatory status.

By integrating regulatory awareness into material design and messaging from the start, organisations can build consumer trust, minimise risk, and deliver genuinely useful hygiene enhancements that comply with the law.

Real-World Impact & Case Studies

As the public demands more hygienic environments, a growing number of organisations across diverse sectors have begun incorporating antimicrobial materials into their products and infrastructure. These real-world examples demonstrate the practical application of antimicrobial additives and the tangible benefits they deliver — from enhanced safety and reduced maintenance to improved user confidence and brand differentiation.

Fitness: Antimicrobial Gym Equipment by IndigoFitness and Escape Fitness

UK-based gym equipment manufacturers IndigoFitness and Escape Fitness have embraced antimicrobial materials in their product lines. Working with additive technology partners, these companies now integrate silver ion-based antimicrobial protection directly into components such as hand grips, foam pads, and storage solutions.

By embedding antimicrobial agents into polymer and vinyl materials during manufacturing, they’ve created gym equipment that continuously resists microbial growth between cleanings. This not only helps reduce odour and staining but also enhances hygiene for gym users — a key differentiator in post-COVID fitness environments.

Healthcare: Antimicrobial Curtains and Surfaces in NHS Hospitals

In the UK, several NHS Trusts have adopted antimicrobial privacy curtains and surface coatings in clinical environments. One notable case involves the use of antimicrobial disposable curtains treated with silver-based additives. These curtains, installed in patient bays and treatment areas, are designed to inhibit bacterial growth throughout their service life.

A study by the NHS Midlands and East region found that the use of treated curtains led to a reduction in microbial burden on high-contact areas and allowed for longer intervals between curtain changes — improving hygiene while lowering operational costs.

Education: Antimicrobial Furniture in Primary Schools

Several UK schools participating in government-funded refurbishment programmes have installed antimicrobial desks, chairs, and door hardware to improve hygiene in classrooms. One example includes the use of classroom furniture made with antimicrobial polypropylene surfaces that resist the growth of bacteria like E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

Teachers reported a noticeable improvement in odour control and cleanliness, and school administrators noted that such materials reduced the frequency and intensity of cleaning required during high transmission seasons (e.g., winter colds and flu).

Transport: Treated Seating and Handrails in Public Transit

Transport for London (TfL) has trialled the use of antimicrobial coatings on handrails and seating surfaces across buses and underground trains. These coatings, which use silver or copper-based actives, were applied to reduce surface contamination in high-contact areas.

Early monitoring showed a measurable reduction in microbial load on treated surfaces compared to untreated controls, prompting further consideration of treated materials for long-term implementation. The move was seen as part of a wider initiative to rebuild commuter confidence during the recovery phase post-COVID.

Hospitality: Antimicrobial Touchpoints in Hotels

Some international hotel chains, including Marriott and Accor, have begun incorporating antimicrobial materials into light switches, TV remotes, and bathroom fittings in high-end and mid-range properties. These treated touchpoints help reduce microbial transmission between guests, offering peace of mind without compromising design aesthetics.

Combined with visible cleaning protocols, the inclusion of built-in hygiene measures helps elevate brand perception and customer trust — especially among business and family travellers.

These real-world applications reflect a growing awareness across sectors: hygiene is no longer just a matter of policy — it's being engineered directly into the spaces we share. As the benefits of antimicrobial materials become more widely recognised, adoption is expected to accelerate — transforming the hygiene profile of the built environment.

The Future of Public Hygiene Design

The integration of antimicrobial materials into public environments is not a passing trend — it is a foundational shift in how we design for health, safety, and trust. As the lessons of recent global health crises continue to reshape infrastructure priorities, hygiene is now being embedded at the material level, transforming the physical environments we rely on every day.

Looking ahead, antimicrobial innovation will increasingly intersect with other material technologies to create multi-functional surfaces. Designers are already exploring combinations of antimicrobial, anti-odour, antistatic, and self-cleaning properties within a single surface — reducing maintenance, enhancing safety, and improving user experience. These materials will form the backbone of smarter interiors in sectors ranging from transport to education to retail.

In parallel, we’re seeing a rise in data-driven hygiene. Antimicrobial materials are beginning to integrate with IoT-enabled systems, allowing facilities to monitor cleanliness levels, usage patterns, and wear in real time. For example, a gym bench made with treated antimicrobial vinyl might also include embedded sensors to track usage frequency — helping facilities optimise cleaning cycles and maintenance while ensuring user safety.

The role of consumer perception is also evolving. Increasingly, end users are seeking reassurance not just from visible cleaning practices, but from the knowledge that surfaces are inherently safer. Subtle signage — “This surface is protected with built-in antimicrobial technology” — is already being used to enhance trust in public spaces, much like energy efficiency labels have done for appliances. In this way, antimicrobial materials are becoming a brand asset, offering a visible commitment to wellness.

Moreover, sustainability and hygiene will continue to converge. As product lifespans are extended and dependence on harsh chemical cleaning reduced, antimicrobial design contributes to broader environmental goals. Manufacturers will look to develop additive technologies that are not only effective and durable, but also biocompatible, recyclable, and compliant with circular design principles.

As materials become smarter, cleaner, and more capable, we enter a new era of invisible innovation — where safety is no longer something added later, but built in from the start. Whether in a crowded gym, a bustling airport terminal, or a quiet school classroom, tomorrow’s public spaces will be defined not just by how they look or function, but by how confidently they can be used.

Conclusion

The environments we move through each day — gyms, classrooms, hospitals, transit systems — are filled with shared surfaces. These contact points are essential to how we interact with the world, but they also represent a long-standing vulnerability in public health infrastructure. The events of recent years have brought this into sharp focus, accelerating demand for cleaner, safer, and more resilient spaces.

Yet traditional hygiene approaches have limits. Manual cleaning is labour-intensive, inconsistent, and reactive. Disposable solutions generate environmental burden and add to operational costs. What’s needed is a shift in mindset — from surface cleaning to surface engineering.

This is where antimicrobial materials offer a transformational solution. By integrating proven antimicrobial additives into the materials used across public spaces — plastics, coatings, textiles, foams — we enable passive, continuous protection that works silently in the background. These materials inhibit microbial growth between cleanings, reduce the risk of odour and degradation, and contribute to long-term cleanliness without constant human intervention.

Importantly, this innovation doesn’t come at the cost of sustainability. Antimicrobial materials can extend product lifespans, reduce the need for frequent replacement, and lower the environmental footprint associated with cleaning chemicals, water, and energy use. When paired with thoughtful design and appropriate messaging, they also improve user trust, offering visible and credible reassurance to the public.

For manufacturers, designers, architects, and facility managers, the message is clear: hygiene is no longer a checklist item — it is a design priority. And it must be considered from the ground up. Whether selecting seat materials for a metro station, benches for a school playground, or textiles for a hospital ward, the inclusion of antimicrobial technology is increasingly seen as a mark of quality, care, and future-readiness.

Looking forward, we expect antimicrobial materials to integrate more deeply with other performance-enhancing features — from self-cleaning surfaces and anti-viral agents to sensor-activated cleaning cycles and smart materials that respond to environmental conditions. As these technologies mature, they will redefine expectations of cleanliness and safety in the built environment.

To earn public confidence, public spaces must become inherently cleaner — not just visibly clean. The path forward is clear: build hygiene in at the material level, and we build environments where people feel safer, more confident, and more connected. From contact points to confidence — this is the future of public hygiene design.

References & Further Reading

1. Polygiene – Odor Control and Antimicrobial Technologies
   https://www.polygiene.com/
   Learn how Polygiene StayFresh™ and other technologies reduce bacterial growth and extend textile freshness between washes.

2. Addmaster – Antimicrobial Additives for Plastics
   https://www.addmaster.co.uk
   Discover how silver ion-based additives like Biomaster are integrated into polymers to provide long-lasting microbial protection.

3. Microban – Built-In Antimicrobial Product Protection
   https://www.microban.com
   Explore Microban’s antimicrobial technologies designed for surfaces, textiles, and polymers in consumer, healthcare, and industrial applications.

4. BioCote – Antimicrobial Surface Protection
   https://www.biocote.com
   BioCote offers integrated antimicrobial solutions for materials used in hygiene-critical environments, helping reduce microbial contamination on surfaces.

5. EPA – Treated Articles Exemption Guidance
   https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/prn-2000-1-applicability-treated-articles-exemption-antimicrobial-pesticides
   U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for treated articles making antimicrobial claims.

6. European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) – Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR)
   https://echa.europa.eu/regulations/biocidal-products-regulation/legislation
   Guidance on active substance approvals, labelling, and claims under EU BPR.

7. HSE – Great Britain Biocidal Products Regulation (GB BPR)
   https://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides
   UK regulatory framework for biocidal products and treated articles post-Brexit.

8. ScienceDirect – Persistence of Pathogens on Inanimate Surfaces
   Kramer A. et al. (2006). How long do nosocomial pathogens persist on inanimate surfaces? BMC Infectious Diseases, 6(130).
   https://bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2334-6-130

9. Journal of Hospital Infection – Role of Contaminated Surfaces in Transmission
   Otter J. et al. (2011). The role played by contaminated surfaces in the transmission of nosocomial pathogens. J Hosp Infect, 79(1), 1–8.
   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2011.05.014

10. Ellen MacArthur Foundation – The Circular Economy in Detail
    https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/overview
    Framework for designing waste out of the system and extending material lifespan.

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