Protecting products and assets from tiny microscopic organisms, will forever be an important role of paint and construction materials formulators. A small nutrient source (any carbon compound will do), a little hydration, and some favorable environmental conditions, and boom! Unwanted microbes move-in, multiply, and spoil your product the the blink of an eye. Down-time, frustrations, added waste… (do we have to mention cost?).

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Microorganisms don’t need much to thrive. With very few exceptions, microorganisms isolated from industrial products have simple nutritional requirements and do not have obligate requirements for growth factors such as vitamins. Members of the genus Pseudomonas are frequent causes of industrial spoilage and are able to utilize over 2000 separate carbon compounds as primary sources of energy and carbon. Add the fact that bacteria thrives in average temperatures between 20 – 35˚C and pH ranges of 4.5 – 9.5; your water-based paint production line with surfactants and polymers, is a welcoming breeding ground for these destructive little microbes.

The science is well known and many preventative products and methods are utilized by paint manufacturers today. The challenge is: how can you optimize your microbial prevention plan to be the most effective while ensuring human health, minimizing environmental impact, and remain cost competitive?

Azelis is here to help you formulate, optimize, and execute your microbial prevention plan!

An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure

Reducing the bioburden of the raw materials and production equipment, will allow the biocide to be the most effective in preserving the quality of the finished product. Your plant sanitation and cleaning program is the most critical aspect of preventative maintenance from a microbiological aspect. Fundamental practices, such as cleaning up spills, keeping lids closed on storage tanks, and sanitization, complement the overall effectiveness of any preservative in use.

  • Poor hygiene and the use of spoiled raw materials can lead to intermittent spoilage which can ruin your reputation and profits.
  • Simple improvements in plant hygiene can reduce both biocide usage and customer complaints.

The cause of wet state spoilage is the result of a breakdown of one or more critical steps during production.

  • Lack of investigation into the microbial susceptibility of a product
  • Failure to incorporate adequate levels of a biocide, or
  • Inadvertent introduction of spoilage organisms through a failure in the plant hygiene program

A Plant Hygiene Audit (PHA) should be done at least twice per year, if not more. PHA results should be tracked over time and receive a grade, with the goal of decreasing the areas of contaminations each subsequent PHA. Problem areas should be the focus of the biocide use.

Antimicrobial Performance Additives

Plant Hygiene

Cost effective use of biocides requires laboratory optimization coupled with proper plant hygiene. A well designed plan requires simplicity for execution. Try these products from Arxada to optimize your biocide package and ensure your plant and products’ integrity.

REPUTAIN™ D20 Antimicrobial

20% 2,2-Dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide (DBNPA) Antimicrobial

REPUTAIN™ D20 Antimicrobial, is a fast acting biocide that may be used to reduce microbiological contamination in raw materials and/or products such as aqueous paints and coatings, polymers, slurries, adhesives, latex and resin emulsions, sizing, caulk, process water, along with specialty industrial products including inks, polishes, waxes, detergents, and cleansers.

  • Very fast rate of kill
  • Good handling profile
  • Indirect food approval
  • Low VOC
  • Good track record for compatibility
  • Short half life seen as a positive

REPUTAIN™ B30 Antimicrobial

2-Bromo-2-nitro-1,3-propanediol (BNP; Bronopol)

REPUTAIN™ B30 Antimicrobial is a liquid microbiocide for use in controlling the growth of bacteria and algae in industrial applications, and as a preservative to inhibit bacterial spoilage during manufacture, distribution, use and storage of industrial products.

  • Non-formaldehyde mechanism
  • Rapid rate of kill; good anti-bacterial effect
  • Good compatibility with other ingredients
  • Good handling profile
  • Worldwide regulatory support, including indirect food approval

In-Can Preservation

The final step in ensuring good plant hygiene and prevention against microbial attack is to optimize the preservative system for your final product.

Proxel BZ Plus Preservative

1,2-Benzisothiazolin-3-one & zinc 2-pyridine-thiol-1-oxide

Proxel BZ Plus Preservative is a blend of two active agents with very different modes of action making it particularly effective in preserving a wide range of industrial aqueous based products from bacterial and fungal spoilage. High solids formulations are especially prone to fungal contamination and cannot be suitably controlled by bactericides. Proxel BZ Plus Preservative is effective against both bacteria and fungi and will prevent growth of even high concentrations of fungal organisms.

  • Effective control of a wide range of bacterial and fungal organisms at economic concentrations
  • Long-term storage stability
  • Ease of use due to its liquid form
  • Excellent compatibility in most aqueous systems

Need More Ideas for your Project?  

Problem to Solve > Microbial Growth

  • Key Raw Materials
  • Starting Point Formulas
  • Chemist Collaboration
Problem to Solve - Microbial Growth

Have Questions? We’re here to help!

Grow Your Know

Azelis Americas CASE has technical experts and formulating chemists creating new products in our world-class laboratories. We are ready to share our knowledge and experience with you!

Talk to your Sales Representative or one of our technical experts to get started on your next big project!