--- title: "Antibacterial vs Antimicrobial: Their Differences & Relevance to Our Sustainable Building Materials" description: "What's the Difference? Antibacterial: Destroys bacteria or suppresses bacterial growth and reproduction. Antimicrobial: Destroys or inhibits the growth of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi. Basically, Antibacterial only fights bacteria, while Antimicrobial fights bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microorganisms." image: https://blog.ecosupplycenter.com/hubfs/am-vs-ab-ig-slides-2020-8-11.png --- × #### MENU - [Home](https://www.ecosupplycenter.com/) - [Architectural Products](https://www.ecosupplycenter.com/brands/) - [Solutions](https://www.ecosupplycenter.com/#toInspire) - [Services](https://www.ecosupplycenter.com/products/ecocuts/) - [Projects](https://blog.ecosupplycenter.com/case-studies) - [Samples](https://info.ecosupplycenter.com/samples) - [Pro Resources](https://www.ecosupplycenter.com/professional-resources/) - [--](http://#) - [About](https://www.ecosupplycenter.com/about-us) - [Store](https://shop.ecosupplycenter.com/) - [Blog](https://blog.ecosupplycenter.com/blog) - [Contact](https://www.ecosupplycenter.com/contact/) - [Search Our Site](https://www.ecosupplycenter.com/search-results) - [1-800-883-7005](tel:+18008837005) [All Blog Posts](https://blog.ecosupplycenter.com/blog) [![](https://blog.ecosupplycenter.com/hubfs/blog-assets/logo.png)](https://blog.ecosupplycenter.com/blog) Menu Article # Antibacterial vs Antimicrobial: Their Differences & Relevance to Our Sustainable Building Materials ![Author](https://blog.ecosupplycenter.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ig-pic-1.png?width=50&height=50&name=ig-pic-1.png) Posted by: [Anthony Brozna](https://blog.ecosupplycenter.com/blog/author/anthony-brozna) | Oct 23, 2020 | ### What's the Difference? **Antibacterial:** Destroys bacteria or suppresses bacterial growth and reproduction. **Antimicrobial:** Destroys or inhibits the growth of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi. Basically, Antibacterial only fights bacteria, while Antimicrobial fights bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microorganisms. ### Specifying for Safety In high-traffic areas, surfaces made with antimicrobial materials are key in helping to prevent the spread of COVID19 and other harmful microorganisms. ### Richlite Paper Composite Panels ![great-northern-food-hall](https://blog.ecosupplycenter.com/hs-fs/hubfs/great-northern-food-hall.jpg?width=1080&name=great-northern-food-hall.jpg) Richlite Paper Composite Panels are an example of a sustainable, antimicrobial material. Richlite is pictured here used as counters and serving areas in Grand Central Station, NYC. ![02.Sculpture-Lab,-MoMA-Conservation-Labs](https://blog.ecosupplycenter.com/hs-fs/hubfs/02.Sculpture-Lab%2c-MoMA-Conservation-Labs.jpg?width=1309&name=02.Sculpture-Lab%2c-MoMA-Conservation-Labs.jpg) At the MoMA Art Conservation Labs in NYC, Richlite is used for counters and work surfaces. In this environment, Richlite’s antimicrobial properties help prevent damage to priceless art. ![RichliteBench](https://blog.ecosupplycenter.com/hs-fs/hubfs/RichliteBench.jpg?width=1024&name=RichliteBench.jpg) In NYC, park benches with 1.25” Richlite slats can be found in various locations throughout the city. Richlite is great for exterior use and fights microorganisms even outdoors. ![Union_Station_DC_td_14_-_Food_Court](https://blog.ecosupplycenter.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Union_Station_DC_td_14_-_Food_Court.jpg?width=5472&name=Union_Station_DC_td_14_-_Food_Court.jpg) Richlite can be incorporated into numerous other architectural and service elements, both commercial and residential. **Richlite is also:** - FSC® Certified - Greenguard Certified - Class A Fire Rated - NSF Certified - Durable/Scratch Resistant - Naturally Warm - Milled with Standard Tools - Available for LEED® Credits - Made in the USA ### Tekstur Protective Architectural Panels Most Tekstur Paper Composite Panels are made from Richlite and carry all of its antimicrobial properties. ![td-garden](https://blog.ecosupplycenter.com/hs-fs/hubfs/td-garden.jpg?width=1080&name=td-garden.jpg) Tekstur D1 is pictured here used for the front surface of these reception desks at TD Garden (home of the Bruins & Celtics) in Boston, MA. ![DSC_9583](https://blog.ecosupplycenter.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DSC_9583.jpg?width=3094&name=DSC_9583.jpg) These Tekstur perforated screens at Williamson Medical Center in Franklin, TN are made from 1” thick Richlite. ![](https://blog.ecosupplycenter.com/hs-fs/hubfs/aia_continuing_education_provider_logo_rgb.png?width=180&name=aia_continuing_education_provider_logo_rgb.png) ### Want to learn more about Richlite? Click the button below to request a Richlite AIA CE course for your firm: [Request a CEU](https://info.ecosupplycenter.com/eco-supply-ceu-presentation-request-form) ### Informational Slides ![am-vs-ab-ig-slides-2020-8-11](https://eco-supply-hs.imgix.net/am-vs-ab-ig-slides-2020-8-11.png?w=450&h=450&fm=jpg&q=70&fl=progressive&fit=crop) ![am-vs-ab-ig-slides-2020-8-112](https://eco-supply-hs.imgix.net/am-vs-ab-ig-slides-2020-8-112.png?w=450&h=450&fm=jpg&q=70&fl=progressive&fit=crop) ![am-vs-ab-ig-slides-2020-8-113](https://eco-supply-hs.imgix.net/am-vs-ab-ig-slides-2020-8-113.png?w=450&h=450&fm=jpg&q=70&fl=progressive&fit=crop) ![am-vs-ab-ig-slides-2020-8-114](https://eco-supply-hs.imgix.net/am-vs-ab-ig-slides-2020-8-114.png?w=450&h=450&fm=jpg&q=70&fl=progressive&fit=crop) ![am-vs-ab-ig-slides-2020-8-115](https://eco-supply-hs.imgix.net/am-vs-ab-ig-slides-2020-8-115.png?w=450&h=450&fm=jpg&q=70&fl=progressive&fit=crop) ![am-vs-ab-ig-slides-2020-8-116](https://eco-supply-hs.imgix.net/am-vs-ab-ig-slides-2020-8-116.png?w=450&h=450&fm=jpg&q=70&fl=progressive&fit=crop) ![am-vs-ab-ig-slides-2020-8-1110](https://eco-supply-hs.imgix.net/am-vs-ab-ig-slides-2020-8-1110.png?w=450&h=450&fm=jpg&q=70&fl=progressive&fit=crop) ![am-vs-ab-ig-slides-2020-8-117](https://eco-supply-hs.imgix.net/am-vs-ab-ig-slides-2020-8-117.png?w=450&h=450&fm=jpg&q=70&fl=progressive&fit=crop) ![am-vs-ab-ig-slides-2020-8-118](https://eco-supply-hs.imgix.net/am-vs-ab-ig-slides-2020-8-118.png?w=450&h=450&fm=jpg&q=70&fl=progressive&fit=crop) ![am-vs-ab-ig-slides-2020-8-119](https://eco-supply-hs.imgix.net/am-vs-ab-ig-slides-2020-8-119.png?w=450&h=450&fm=jpg&q=70&fl=progressive&fit=crop)   Enter Rebrandly Link Slug Here ### Looking for Samples? 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