Antimicrobial ceramic glaze

1. An antimicrobial ceramic glazing composition, comprising:

zinc borate; and

an additional quantity of free zinc oxide;

wherein the antimicrobial ceramic glazing composition has a combined concentration of zinc borate and free zinc oxide of from at least about 5,000 ppm to about 40,000 ppm; and

wherein the antimicrobial ceramic glazing composition has a weight ratio of zinc borate to free zinc oxide from about 10:90 to about 90:10.

2. a ceramic article comprising the antimicrobial ceramic glazing compositing according to claim 1 .

3. The ceramic article according to claim 2 wherein the ceramic article is selected from the group consisting of toilets, bidets, washbasins, towel rails, soap holders, toilet roll holders, water control fixtures, and ceramic tiles.

4. A ceramic article exhibiting built-in antimicrobial properties, comprising:

a ceramic substrate having at least one surface; and

a glaze on at least a portion of said surface;

wherein said glaze includes a quantity of zinc borate and an additional quantity of free zinc oxide having a weight ratio of zinc borate to free zinc oxide from about 10:90 to about 90:10; and

wherein the antimicrobial ceramic glazing composition has a combined concentration of zinc borate and free zinc oxide of from at least about 5,000 ppm to about 40,000 ppm.

5. The ceramic article according to claim 4 , wherein the ceramic article is selected from the group consisting of toilets, bidets, washbasins, towel rails, soap holders, toilet roll holders, water control fixtures, and ceramic tiles.

6. A method for forming a ceramic glaze having built-in antimicrobial properties, the method comprising:

providing a ceramic substrate having at least one surface;

coating a ceramic glazing composition on at least a portion of said surface; and

firing the ceramic glazing composition;

wherein the ceramic glazing composition includes a quantity of zinc borate and an additional quantity of free zinc oxide having a weight ratio of zinc borate to free zinc oxide from about 10:90 to about 90:10; and

wherein the antimicrobial ceramic glazing composition has a combined concentration of zinc borate and free zinc oxide of from at least about 5,000 ppm to about 40,000 ppm.

7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the fired coated substrate is selected from the group consisting of toilets, bidets, washbasins, towel rails, soap holders, toilet roll holders, water control fixtures, and ceramic tiles.