Sappi North America Launches Shark Inspired Paper Preventing Bacterial Growth

Boston-based Sappi North America, a worldwide leader in diversified paper and packaging products, with two mills in Maine, has launched a “first of its kind” casting and release paper inspired by the texture of shark skin, which creates surfaces that inhibit bacterial growth without the use of toxic additives or chemicals, MaineBiz reports. The new paper product is to be manufactured at Sappi’s Westbrook mill. The Sharklet surface is comprised of millions of microscopic features arranged in a distinct diamond pattern. The structure of the pattern alone inhibits bacteria from attaching, colonizing and forming biofilms and the Sharklet surface contains no toxic additives or chemicals and uses no antibiotics or antimicrobials. Read full story