Defender29 and Baierl Family YMCA Case Study

With harmful germs and bacteria being extremely prevalent in the world today, many businesses are struggling to provide the adequate safety net their customers need to return to their facilities. Although it is up to each individual on what they consider to be adequate safety, many facilities worldwide are taking extra precautions for their customers or facility members.

Copper has been around for centuries and is one of the most abundant chemicals in the world. However, few people know the true health benefits copper has to offer, especially when it comes to its antimicrobial properties. Only in recent years has copper went under extensive research for its ability to kill germs, both upon contact and within a 24-hour timeframe.

Butler Technologies is known for its screen-printing capabilities. They first became aware of copper’s antiviral properties through a local partner in the Butler area. Soon after learning more about this unique metal, they set out to create their own copper-infused product to help fight off COVID-19 and other harmful bacteria. They started by adding copper flakes into their ink formulations and screen printing it. Through a series of trial and error within BTI’s research and development department, they found an ink formulation that worked and created their newest technology, Defender29.

Defender29 is a screen printed, copper vinyl door wrap, used as an added layer of protection for door handles and entryways. Although this wrap alone will not be the only thing needed to ensure the safety of everyone who enters or exits a facility, it helps to ensure that one extra step is being taken to mitigate the spread of contagious bacteria. Defender29 has been lab-tested and proven to kill 90% of germs on contact, and 99.9% of germs in 24 hours. As stated by Butler Technologies’ President, Tristan Tripodi, “This material is easy to apply, durable, and it’s also easy to replace”.

To test the overall durability of Defender29 in facilities, Butler Technologies recently partnered with the Baierl Family YMCA, located in Wexford, Pennsylvania, where they outfitted the facility’s doors and entryways. Custom wraps were created dependent upon what specific door handles were found throughout the facility, and there was an overwhelming response from both media and facility members. Many media outlets, such as WTAE and KDKA (CBS) were there the day the facility was outfitted, as they found this to be a great partnership between two local businesses to ensure the health and well-being of the local community.

Facility members were also extremely excited about this new technology, as they viewed it as another added layer of protection from harmful germs. “I can’t wait for people to be able to start asking us about, ‘who ordered these things for the doors?’ because we’re going to be able to tell them that we’re trying to protect you even more”, stated Kathy Nipps, Executive Director ar the Baierl Family YMCA.

After one month of use, the Defender29 is still holding up drastically well in the Baierl Family YMCA. They currently have between 450 and 475 visitors per day. As each person enters and exits the building, that accounts for nearly 900 interactions with Defender29 on a day-to-day basis. This means that after one month, visitors made contact with the Defender29 wraps nearly 27,900 times. The pictures below depict the YMCA’s doors and entryways after one month’s use of Defender29. We will continue to update this case study as more information and research is released.

Photos of Defender29 after one month’s use. These photos were taken by a staff member of the Baierl Family YMCA.

This partnership was reciprocal, as the Baierl Family YMCA was able to provide an extra safety measure to their facility for its members, and Butler Technologies was able to test their patent-pending technology in a real-life scenario. “The YMCA was very anxious to get people back in and be able to feel safe, and it was just the perfect match”, stated Tripodi. Butler Technologies left multiple information sheets with the YMCA for any guests or members who were interested in this technology, and they have received an overwhelming response. Many new facilities and company owners have reached out in the weeks since, hoping to also outfit their companies with Defender29.

Butler Technologies will continue to look for ways to improve its antiviral door wraps. They hope to provide many other businesses the peace of mind they want and need. To learn more about Defender29, you can visit their site. (https://butlertechnologies.com)