BIOCIDES
technology , which is delivering highperforming active ingredients with a reduced carbon footprint , favourable environmental profiles and flexibility for optimised performance .
For example , Polyphase ** PW30CR represents a class of highconcentration , sustainable , targeted products with enhanced efficacy , improved chemical stability and leachresistant properties , while meeting regulatory and labelling requirements . With fewer active substances available to the formulator , the ability to tailor the amount of active delivered over time is even more important .
While the microbial control benefits of GHG reduction and invasive species prevention are enormous in the MAF sector , pressure on the current palette of products is a major ongoing challenge . Lately , there has been concern over the leaching of metal compounds into the environment , with
References 1 : CPSC . gov : Clorox recalls Pine-Sol scented multi-surface cleaners , CloroxPro Pine-Sol all-purpose cleaners and Clorox Professional Pine-Sol Lemon Fresh Cleaners due to risk of exposure to bacteria 2 : CPSC . gov : The Laundress recalls laundry detergent and household cleaning products due to risk of exposure to bacteria
Wood protection applications are seeing alternatives to traditional creosote
3 : IBM global consumer study : Sustainability actions can speak louder than intent 4 : Forbes . com : Do customers really care about your environmental impact ? 5 : US EPA : Identifying greener cleaning products 6 : D . Das , A . Sarkar & A . Debroy , Int . J . Consum . Stud . 2022 , 46 , 692-715 7 : P . Das et al ., Nature Biomed . Eng . 2021 , 5 , 613-623 a ban on the use of tin and restrictions on the use of copper for existing products . However , as the expense of bringing new actives to market is high and the regulatory landscape is complex , the focus has shifted toward improving the activity of traditional chemistries at more sustainable levels with less environmental impact .
This has accelerated research into chemistries that enhance the performance of copper , in MAF coatings , leading to development of Umigard **, a new non-biocidal technology for effective preservation at lower total copper . Such a combined approach improves the environmental profile of MAF coatings without compromising on performance .
Despite the historical long development timelines , the wood protection market is undergoing a recent acceleration in innovative offerings . The historical use of
8 : L . David et al ., Antibiotics , 2021 , 10 , 1376 - 1389 9 : J . W . Armstrong , Am . Biotechnol . Lab . 1999 , 17 , 26 -28 . 10 : LM . Mayr & P . Fuerst , J . Biomol . Screen . 2008 , 13 , 443 – 448 11 : M . E . Olsen et al ., Can . J . Vet . Res . 2002 , 66 , 86 - 92 pentachlorophenol and creosote is being replaced by alternatives . In the 1990s , a substantial part of the market moved to water-based copper / cobiocide formulations . More recently , oil-borne products containing copper and co-biocides have been introduced to meet the requirements of the industrial market , which comprises utility poles , railway sleepers and agricultural materials .
A recent prime example is a new wood preservative product , Tanasote **, containing copper and a new active ingredient . Not only is it an effective alternative to creosote , it meets the market requirements of a long service life ( 40 + years , compared to the current standard of up to 25 years ), minimal early failures without negatively impacting the existing early failure rates and being free of VOCs .
Launch of the Golden Age
We are seeing the emergence of true sustainable preservation in the market today , including the launch of leadingedge products . However , this is just the beginning .
Employing and combining the latest scientific advancements in molecular biology , synthetic biology , surface chemistry , toxicological models , high-throughput techniques , in silico methodology , digitalisation and AI , to name a few , will continue to lead to a revolution in microbial control innovation . Collaboration across disciplines and the industry will help accelerate progress , especially with open innovation approaches where customers , suppliers , authorities and industry experts work together on the toughest preservation challenges . ●
* - Also contributing to this article were : Dr Kevin Janak , global head of R & D - consumer microbial control , Dr Jake Jacobs , R & D lead , and Dr Katherine Anne Clark Schmid , senior manager - toxicology
** - Geogard , Polyphase , Umigard and Tanasote are all registered trademarks of Arxada
Tricia Ryan
SENIOR MANAGER EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
ARXADA k + 1 973 879 0417 J tricia . ryan @ arxada . com j ww . arxada . com
NOV / DEC 2023 SPECCHEMONLINE . COM
37