Essex Supplies & Bio Productions – Enzyme based cleaning product for all washroom tasks

Bio Productions and Essex Supplies are loving the current buzz about Pro-Biotics, Sustainability, and Environmental Innovations… especially because we got there first, more than 30 years ago.
Since 1986, BIo have  dedicated ourselves to developing enzyme-based cleaning and problem-solving biological alternatives for drains and catering outlets. So, we’re about more than just the latest craze.

Always been passionate about creating cleaning products that pack a powerful punch when it comes to cleaning – but without the nasty environmental impact you’d expect.

There’s no need to search far and wide for your ticket to the modern pro-biotic revolution.
Bio-Productions are industry leaders… and we’ve been on your doorstep in the UK for more than three decades.

As the education & hospitality sectors look towards re-opening, now is the time to wave goodbye to smelly washrooms and hello to environmentally sympathetic solutions.

Get started today with our Blu-Away Biological Washroom Cleaner & Odour Neutraliser & Biological Urinal Blocks. Used alone or together these powerful products will leave urinals & troughs free flowing and washroom walls, floors, tiles, and grout sparkling clean and odour free. We are UK innovators of pro-biotic washroom cleaners and urinal blocks designed and manufactured by us at our Sussex based plant for over two decades.

Guaranteed service and quality certified to the latest ISO 14001:2015 and 9001:2015 standards. An accredited manufacturer and member of the CHSA www.chsa.co.uk and are proud recipients of awards for Environmental Best Practice and member of UK based The Green Organisation www.thegreenorganisation.info , their quality products speak for themselves and that is why our customers keep coming back. Call us to discuss how Bio Productions products can elevate your washroom with simple sustainable solutions and proven results.

The award winning original Biological Urinal Blocks and Blu-Away Biological Washroom Cleaner. A complete washroom solution for your urinals and contaminated floors.
• Water Saving
• Biodegradable
• Eradicates Odours
• Prevents Blockages
• Green Apple Award Winner

ALCOHOL FREE v ALCOHOL BASED (70%)

Fighting Coronavirus & Navigating Guidance on Hand Sanitizers

A white paper on the benefits of both 70% alcohol and alcohol-free sanitizers

As the public navigates the countermeasures to the pandemic, clear information on the viability of both 70% alcohol and alcohol-free hand sanitizers is vital for people to stay safe and healthy. This paper presents a side-by-side comparison of the science, standards and use cases of both 70% alcohol and alcohol-free hand sanitizers. This information aims to help consumers make informed decisions on the product(s) they choose to use to protect themselves in the ongoing fight against the virus.

Key takeaways:

• Both 70% alcohol and alcohol-free hand sanitizers are safe and effective in the fight against coronavirus.
• Both 70% alcohol and alcohol-free hand sanitizers have passed identical, independently certified European Standard tests, including tests on skin.
• 70% alcohol hand sanitizer is the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended product and offers a faster virus kill time after application than alcohol-free sanitizer.
• Alcohol-free hand sanitizer offers longer protection against bacteria and viruses, so in certain circumstances where someone is exposed for an extended period, alcohol-free should be considered a superior option.

A comparison between alcohol-free and 70% alcohol hand sanitizers

Alcohol Free Hand Sanitizer1 70% Alcohol Hand Sanitizer1 Comments on comparison
Effective against Bacteria and viruses Bacteria and viruses

• Kill time after application Bacteria – 1 minute
• Viruses – 2 minutes Bacteria – 1 minute
• Viruses – 1 minute 70% alcohol sanitizer has a quicker kill time for viruses than alcohol-free sanitizer, however kill time for bacteria is the same.
• Residual defence against bacteria and viruses after application Up to 4 hours2 Up to 2 minutes Alcohol-free sanitizer offers significantly longer protection against bacteria and viruses than alcohol sanitizer.
• European Standards BS EN 12763
• BS EN 15004
• BS EN 15004
• BS EN 144765 Both sanitizers are subject to identical, independently certified testing methods, including tests on skin.
• Halal-certified Yes – certified by the Halal Monitoring Committee (HMC) No
• Active substances Benzalkonium chloride (BKC) and Didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC) Ethanol Alcohol-free sanitizer is softer on the skin. The active substances do not strip away oils in our skin that retain moisture to the same extent as 70% alcohol sanitizer.
• WHO-recommended (as of August 2020) No Yes Alcohol is the most widely available antimicrobial chemical, and breweries have been able to satisfy the extra demand caused by coronavirus. 70% alcohol hand sanitizer is also easy to manufacture, helping the supply chain when demand is high
• Essex offer – both 70% alcohol and alcohol-free sanitizers

BS EN 1276 is a European Standard test method that evaluates the efficacy of a disinfectant against bacteria such as MRSA, Salmonella typhimurium, E. Coli, Enterococcus hirae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
BS EN 1500 is a European Standard test method, required by the NHS, that evaluates the efficacy of a hygienic handrub by measuring the number of viable bacteria remaining on the fingertips of human participants after contamination and handrub exposure
BS EN 14476 is a European Standard test method that evaluates the efficacy of a disinfectant against enveloped viruses. Annex A of BS EN 14476 includes coronavirus in the examples of enveloped viruses.

Essex Supplies UK – “Business as normal”

Essex Supplies has been open during the whole lockdown/covid) period and will aim to remain open for all it`s customers and potential new business.

We have worked hard to maintain our stock quality and the stock levels. Also trying hard to maintain prices,as best we can and also to add new products,that we feel the market has demanded during COVID 19 

Our sales force is fully functional now (limited or only essential site visits at this time) So feel free to call or email to make contact with any requirements or needs you have. Our drivers and vans are also fully functional and ready to go with orders and deliveries 

Check out the new sections and new items on the site when you get the time please

Thank you for your support and we will aim to support you all as you return the best we can to some kind of postive and normal service hopefully

Stay Safe and thank you 

The Team @ Essex Supplies   ” One Stop Shop for supplies and for service”

 

NEW VIRABACT RED CONCENTRATE – 60 sec COVID KILL TIME

Virabact Concentrate Red
Provides quick, easy cleaning and sanitizing for all food preparation surfaces, microwaves, chopping boards, cupboards, fridges, freezers and more.

Contains no perfumes so is non-tainting and therefore food safe.

Conforms to BS EN 1276 killing 99.999% of bacteria within 60 seconds.

Conforms to BS EN 14476 against enveloped viruses with a contact time of 60 seconds under clean conditions.

Also conforms to BS EN 1650 and BS EN 13697 (bacteria and yeast).

Pack Size: 2x5LOrder Ref: 064VBC/RED/5

Pack Size: 6 x 750ml Ref 064VBC/RED/750

 

Hand Sanitiser – Do you know what you looking for ?

How to spot a High-Quality Hand Sanitiser to fight COVID-19 ??

A year like no other
Sales of hand sanitiser soared by 255% [1] in February 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic. With recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) to: “Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water” [2], the global hand sanitiser market has grown exponentially from $1.53 billion in 2019 to an expected $3.04 billion in 2020 [3

Producers responded quickly by increasing production –  we managed to increase production by a massive 40% [4]. Despite these efforts, there was a point earlier this year when buying hand sanitiser was as challenging as finding toilet roll.

Looking to the future
Happily, over the  weeks, we’ve seen scientific advances from across the globe that promise real hope with the introduction of new vaccines to protect against COVID-19 in the future.

But we still need hand sanitiser — delivery of the vaccine will take time and the vaccines may not protect against future unknown pathogens. Clearly hand sanitiser, along with social distancing and localised lockdowns, will be in our future for a while to come.

Quality-assured hand sanitisers increase trust to your business

Cleanliness and hygiene have always been an important part of hospitality and care service delivery, but this year’s pandemic has shone a light on this and linked it to safety. Enter hand sanitisers – an ideal step to protect staff, customers and care home residents. But one thing is abundantly clear – not all hand sanitisers are created equally and with so many new producers entering the market, coupled with the need for expedited delivery, errors creep in. We have seen recent recalls of hand sanitiser for containing methanol, rather than ethanol. Methanol can be toxic if absorbed through the skin and if it is ingested it can be life-threatening. So being careful in your choice of hand sanitiser is essential.

So, what do you need to look for in a high-quality hand sanitiser? There are two major considerations here: efficacy of the product and making the experience pleasant for the user.

Alcohol content

The WHO [6] and America’s CDC [7] recommend hand sanitisers with at least 60% alcohol content. Cleenol’s superior Medisan hand sanitiser contains 70% ethanol and kills all enveloped viruses within 60 seconds.

Quality testing

To be sure that the hand sanitiser you are buying is fit for purpose, you can check that it has been tested against European Standards (EN). The relevant standards are: EN1500 for Hygienic Handrubs, EN1276 for killing 99.999% of bacteria and EN14476 for killing 99.99% of enveloped viruses (coronaviruses are an example of enveloped viruses). Beyond the effectiveness of the hand sanitiser, the customer experience should be considered.

Viscosity

Some hand sanitisers can be very runny and if you’re dispensing in a public place, can easily run off the hands onto the floor creating a slip hazard, or run down your sleeve. Either way, the experience is less satisfying for consumers and so may be avoided, increasing the risk of cross-contamination.

After effects

Some hand sanitisers leave your hands feeling sticky, a sensation most people dislike. Again, if consumers don’t like how it feels, they’re less likely to continue to use the hand sanitiser, increasing your risk. Consider a hand sanitiser that includes a moisturising agent, such as Medisan 70% Alcohol Hand Sanitiser which contains glycerine.

Smell
If you’re serving food, this will be of particular concern, as smell directly contributes to taste. If you provide a hand sanitiser that has a strong chemical smell that lingers, it can be unpleasant and alter the dining experience. Ultimately, you want to find a highly effective hand sanitiser to protect your business, staff and patrons whilst improving the customer experience, to benefit from customer trust, ongoing loyalty and repeat business.

What about alcohol-free hand sanitisers?

News reports had put in doubt the efficacy of alcohol-free hand sanitisers, however , with decades of experience in the cleaning industry, recognises that both alcohol-based and alcohol-free hand sanitisers have their place, with advantages and disadvantages to both[8].

Alcohol-free hand sanitiser is rapidly growing to customers base in the Middle East, where the use of alcohol-based products is not permitted for those observing the Islam faith. Cleenol’s alcohol-free hand sanitiser is certified as Halal by the Halal Monitoring Committee (HMC).

Demand for alcohol-free hand sanitisers also grew in hospitals, care homes, prisons and schools with young children or students with special educational needs and disabilities. Alcohol-free hand sanitiser is more suitable for dry skin, and the risk of accidental ingestion of harmful quantities is low due to the relatively low toxicity of the active substances. Active ingredients could include Didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC) or Benzalkonium chloride (BKC), which are both members of the quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) family of disinfectants. You would have to ingest a large amount of these before any ill effects were felt.

Additionally, alcohol-free sanitiser can provide long-lasting protection from bacteria and viruses. As it dries, it leaves a protective layer on your skin which acts as a shield, protecting you for up to four hours. For a detailed comparison of alcohol-free and 70% alcohol hand sanitiser, take a look at Cleenol’s whitepaper.

Our range of hand sanitisers includes:

Medisan 70% Alcohol Hand Sanitising Gel

A 70% alcohol-based hand sanitiser gel which complies with EN1500, EN1276 and EN14476, killing 99.999% of bacteria and 99.99% of enveloped viruses within 60 seconds. It is available in 5 litre, 500 ml and 50 ml bottles.

Senses Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitiser
This hand sanitiser is mainly formulated from vegetable-derived bactericides and foaming agents. It is odourless and soft on the skin so perfect for frequent use. Ideal to be used in clinics, hospitals and food production environments, it has been tested against EN14476 (killing 99.99% of enveloped viruses within two minutes), EN1276 (killing 99.999% bacteria within five minutes) and also EN1500. Available in 5 litre, 800ml, 500ml and 50ml bottles, and additionally as a foam hand sanitizer in 50ml bottles.

Ask our sales team at Essex Supplies  via email @  info@essexsupplies.co.uk or call us on 01702 600000 for more information and to place any orders

Stay Safe

Latex Gloves v Nitrile Glove – Some “HANDY” information for you

No matter what industry you work in, it’s likely that you’ve come across latex or nitrile protective gloves for protection in a commercial environment at some point in your career.

In the medical industries, health professionals will use protective gloves whilst examining patients or handling sterile equipment. In food manufacturing or hospitality, workers will wear protective gloves whilst preparing food or drinks. Cleaners or janitors will wear protective gloves whilst handling strong cleaning chemicals or during particularly dirty jobs.

Generally, these protective gloves are made of one of two material – latex or nitrile. Which type of protective gloves you wear will depend on several factors.

When should we wear protective gloves?
As a rule, protective gloves should be worn in order to protect the wearer’s skin in an environment with potentially harmful chemicals or to minimise the spread of germs and bacteria in the workplace. Both latex gloves and nitrile gloves are effective at these two tasks. However, they do still have some differences.

What is nitrile?
Nitrile is a synthetic rubber compound, often used as a latex alternative for those who have latex allergies. To form nitrile, carbon and nitrogen atoms are connected by triple bonds – meaning that there can be several different types of nitrile.

The history of nitrile gloves
The method of synthesising hydrogen cyanide was first discovered by Carl Whilhem Scheele, a German-Swedish chemist, in 1782, resulting in the world’s first introduction to the nitrile family. Fast forward nearly 200 years, and the first nitrile rubber was made in the year 1934 by Erich Konrad and Eduard Tschunkur when they developed an elastomer.

Resistance to oil and grease ensured that it quickly grew in popularity due to the shortage of natural rubber during World War 2. The first nitrile disposable gloves were marketed in 1991 – as an alternative to latex gloves.

Are nitrile gloves latex free?
Yes, nitrile gloves are completely latex-free. However, it’s worth noting that nitrile gloves do still pose a very low risk of triggering allergies, as they often contain cheaper additives such as chemical accelerators. For non-allergen nitrile gloves, look for ones that don’t contain accelerator chemicals.

Nitrile’s properties:

• Good chemical resistance
• High puncture resistance
• Latex-free
• Mould to the hand
• Good for extended use
• Good in high-risk situations
• Chemical resistant
• Long shelf life
• Learn more about disposable nitrile gloves.

What is latex?
Latex is a natural compound taken from rubber trees. It has been used as a material in practical applications since 1839, when Charles Goodyear discovered vulcanisation – the process that transforms natural rubber into something usable.

What is the process of tapping rubber?
The process of tapping latex was developed in Victorian times. Latex is harvested by making a shallow spiralling slice into the bark of a rubber tree to create what’s known as a tapping panel. A tapping panel can yield a flow of latex that lasts up to five hours, when the tapping process usually moves on to the other side of the tree to allow the first tapping panel to ‘heal’.

The latex that comes from the tapping panels runs down the tree into a waiting cup, where it’s collected and coagulates. Additions are often made to the natural latex to help preserve it for longer.

Latex’s properties:

• Comfortable
• Dexterous
• Fit closely to the skin
• Touch-sensitive
• Good for extended use
• Work well in high-risk situations
• Cost-effective
• Biodegradable

Learn more about disposable latex gloves.

Which is better, latex or nitrile gloves?
Nitrile is often regarded to be a higher quality material than latex, but that usually comes with a slightly higher price. Latex gloves can be cheaper but should do a perfectly good job if strong chemical resistance or puncture resistance isn’t mandatory. But, on the whole, whether you should use latex or nitrile gloves depends on the task you will be completing.

HSE has a guide to selecting the right pair of protective gloves for your needs, and you can read more about the different types of chemical safety gloves on our blog