Smart antimicrobial coatings and surfaces represent an important element of the smart materials space. The market for smart antimicrobial coatings and surfaces is driven by the need to selectively combat new threats from bacteria, viruses and fungi. Also important to the future of smart antimicrobial coatings is the mandate to reduce hospital-acquired infections. But, the opportunity for antimicrobial surfaces extends well beyond healthcare facilities. In a growing number of cases, the next generation of antimicrobial coatings and surfaces will be smart enough to kill harmful microbes while leaving the beneficial ones, or will combine antimicrobial action with the ability to self-clean.

Currently, the smart antimicrobials market is dominated by silver-based materials, although some smart antimicrobials based on photosynthesis are also widely available. The silver-based smart antimicrobials market will continue to grow. There will also be a strong trend towards combining smart antimicrobials with additional self-cleaning and self-healing functionality. Self-cleaning adding to the antimicrobial effect by washing away microbes while self-repair of cracks gives microbes no place to hide.

Sales of smart antimicrobials will focus on medical equipment and medical uniforms. Growing the market for smart antimicrobials into non-healthcare markets will be a challenge; life and death concerns will be hard to evoke as part of a business case. There will be more markets outside of medical markets where smart antimicrobials are likely to sell well. These include high-use and high-traffic areas in buildings, and clothing and textiles. The interior surfaces of cars, truck, aircraft and marine vessels present additional opportunities for smart antimicrobial surfaces.