Heraeus PreciousMetals and CarboTech cooperate in the antimicrobial functionalization of activated carbons with AGXX®

Hanau/Essen, Germany, July 08, 2025 – Heraeus Precious Metals, one of the world’s leading companies in the precious metals industry, and activated carbon specialist CarboTech announce their technical and commercial collaboration in the field of antimicrobial functionalization of activated carbons. At the center of the cooperation is the innovative AGXX® technology from Heraeus Precious Metals, which will be applied to activated carbons from CarboTech in the future.

Microbial growth on filter materials is a well-known problem in water treatment: bacteria and other microorganisms can colonize and multiply on conventional activated carbons and thus enter drinking water or the ambient air, where they can cause diseases and unpleasant odors. This risk can be significantly reduced by using AGXX technology in filter systems: The antimicrobial technology ensures long-lasting inhibition of microbial growth directly on the surface of the activated carbon, thus contributing to more reliable and hygienic water filtration – both in industrial and household applications.

As part of the cooperation, Heraeus Precious Metals is responsible for the further development and optimization of AGXX® technology for use on activated carbons. The company also ensures that all regulatory requirements for the target markets are met. In various ASTM and laboratory tests on water filtration, the activated carbon granules demonstrated high antimicrobial efficacy.

CarboTech contributes its extensive expertise in the impregnation and processing of activated carbons and will market the products functionalized with AGXX® worldwide through its established distribution channels. With AGXX®, CarboTech is also adding a sustainable alternative to silver nitrate to its product portfolio, which will soon no longer be permitted as an active ingredient in the EU due to its new classification as toxic to reproduction category 1B.

Both partners benefit from a clear distribution of roles: Heraeus Precious Metals contributes its expertise in the development and provision of functional precious metal solutions, while CarboTech contributes its many years of experience in the processing, application and marketing of activated carbons.

“With AGXX®, we have developed a technology that effectively and sustainably inhibits microbial growth on materials,” explains Martin Danz, Head of Antimicrobial Technologies at Heraeus Precious Metals. “The collaboration with CarboTech enables us to transfer this potential specifically to activated carbons for water filters – an area in which hygiene and safety have the highest priority.”

Daniel Böke, CEO of CarboTech, emphasizes: “The combination of innovative precious metal technology and our expertise in activated carbon refinement opens up new possibilities for high-performance water filter systems. The partnership with Heraeus Precious Metals enables us to expand our portfolio with a pioneering technology and thus strengthen our position as an innovation leader in the field of activated carbon.”