Thomas & Betts (T&B) is touting its new Ty-Fast Ag+ bacteria-resistant cable ties, which it claims are the first that are able to inhibit the spread of bacteria.

T&B (Memphis, Tenn.) – a member of the ABB Group – molded the cable ties from an FDA-compliant nylon resin blended with an EPA-registered antimicrobial silver ion additive. T&B has a patent pending for the cable ties, which it says are resistant to the growth of bacteria, fungi and mold on their surfaces.

Third-party testing showed the Ty-Fast Ag­+ cable ties had 99.9% less bacteria on their surfaces. The tests, which measured the additive’s effect on Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteria, were compliant with ISO22196, Measurement of Antibacterial Activity on Plastic Surfaces.

Under normal use, the cable ties inhibit bacterial growth for at least two years.

“Industries that are contamination sensitive, such as health care, food processing and preparation, pharmaceuticals, and medical device manufacturing, face the challenge of maintaining a clean environment in the presence of heat, moisture and organic materials,” Andrew Batterman, global product line manager of installation products at ABB Electrification Products, said in a news release. “When using cable ties in these applications, their notches and grooves provide a hospitable environment for bacteria and other microbes. We developed Ty-Fast Ag­+ bacteria-resistant cable ties to provide a cable-bundling solution that resists microbial contamination.”

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