The technology used to develop tubing and piping for processing facilities, works by releasing silver ions which destroy bacteria cell walls, preventing the development of micro-organisms.

NeutraSil™ has been created to ensure that high food safety standards are met within the international dairy industry.

"The dairy tubing industry demands a very specific type of tubing. It must be highly flexible, resilient, and reliable as well as having the hygiene properties to satisfy international food standards," said Steve Hadlington, Technical Director at Silicone Engineering.

Mr Hadlington also confirmed that the material had been independently proven to prevent the growth of Salmonella and E.coli – pathogens associated with dairy food safety.

"Using NeutraSil™ will provide extra confidence to the dairy industry, ensuring them that the mentioned strains will not pass into the production process where our product is used."

In comparison to other manufacturers using standard silicone, Silicone Engineering has confirmed that using their product NeutraSil™ will reduce the presence of E.coli by 99.99 per cent within six hours.

In the same time, Salmonella levels dropped by 99.99 per cent, compared with an 820 per cent increase amongst those companies using standard silicone.

The material which meets the Japanese standards and complies with the US Food and Drug Association (FDA) requirements will be beneficial to many different sectors, some of which include food processing, breweries and drink manufacturers.

Marketing Director at Silicone Engineering, Tony Peel concluded that, Silicone Engineering had conducted excessive research to develop a product such as NeutraSil™, leading to a breakthrough in technology.

"Over the past few years, the dangers of the hazards posted by strains of lethal bacteria have been widely publicised. The development of a highly effective anti-microbial silicone rubber was our reaction to the MRSA outbreaks that occurred throughout the US and the UK in 2005 and 2006."