Need for hygienic materials sparks new trend in construction industry

The growing health consciousness worldwide has spawned a new trend toward the use of hygienic and bacteria-free construction materials.

This development has become even more pronounced with the global rise of epidemics caused by viruses and bacteria that find refuge in porous solid surface materials that absorb water.

Such porous materials include marbles, granites and other natural stones or ignitious rocks most frequently used as reception counters, wash basins, kitchen and food countertops in expensive homes, offices, hotels and food chains.

However, the porous surfaces of these materials become breeding ground for bacteria and other harmful microscopic organisms, especially when exposed to food, moisture, or a damp environment.

Nonetheless, this health hazard has been eliminated through a Japanese technology that creates a non-porous but very elegant solid surface material, which resembles marbles or granites.

Yet, this product, called Abient, is even glossier and more stylish than real marbles or granites that need constant polishing to keep their shine. This is because Abient is made of Japan aluminum hydroxide and acrylic and polyester resin formed through a very intricate process to give it the natural marble or granite look. Abient also boasts of more than 300 colors and stone-like patterns and patented designs to choose from.

"Very neat and totally impenetrable to the tiniest micro-organism, Abient has excellently passed the Japanese Food Hygiene Law for food zone area," said Elmer Caparros, president of Filipino firm Polytex Marketing Corp., the product’s distributor in the Philippines.

The product is being manufactured by the Japan-based Onda Group in its factory at the People’s Technology Complex in Carmona, Cavite.

Around 95 percent of Onda’s products manufactured in the Philippines are for export, and only five percent are earmarked for local distribution.

Nonetheless, these products will be showcased at Booths 916 and 936 in the Worldbex exhibit at the World Trade Center Metro Manila from March 17 to March 21.

These products are also on display at the Polytex showroom at the MC Home Builders Depott on EDSA corner Pasong Tamo Ext. in Makati City (tel. 8177697), Century Plaza Complex at J. Osmeña St. in Cebu City (tel. 032-2555884), and PMC Uniwide Coastal Mall on Roxas Boulevard in Parañaque City, Metro Manila (tel. 8529928).