BASF biocides protect materials

12-Sep-2001

microorganisms such as yeasts, moulds, bacteria and viruses constitute a large risk to human health throughout the world. Less well known is the fact that microbes cause material damage and corrosion, thereby destroying billions of dollars worth of assets every year. biocides can prevent this, and modern manufacturing processes, industrial intermediates and consumer products can no longer be imagined without them. Eco-friendly water-based paints are a good example. To protect the environment, today's users demand paints that are based on water instead of organic solvents. However, this creates ideal conditions for the growth of microorganisms in the product, because water is the elixir of life for bacteria and moulds.

The demand for eco-compatible, highly effective biocides need not be a contradiction in terms. Most BASF biocides are biodegradable, eliminable or are mineralized to form harmless end-products.

Bronopol particularly efficient in combination

Bronopol is one of BASF's principal biocide agents. It is extremely effective in combination with numerous other biocides, for example certain isothiazolones, quarternary ammonium salts and dibromodicyanobutane. Using these agents together with bronopol is more efficient than applying the components individually. This gives the customer greater flexibility in choosing products, is less expensive, and reduces application rates. In addition, bronopol is very suitable for controlling bacteria that have developed tolerance to other agents, such as isothiazolones. All this makes bronopol an efficient biocide agent that BASF will continue to manufacture in the long term using well-established production technology.

Supported by registration

The main BASF biocide products, including bronopol, glutaraldehyde, phenoxyethanol, phenoxypropanol, glyoxal, dazomet und hexahydrotriazine, are supported by registrations. BASF will take every step that is economically justified to ensure that these and other agents meet the requirements of the European Biocide Directive. This policy reinforces BASF's long-term commitment to this business sector and is consistent with the model of sustained, future-oriented development.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/4650/basf-biocides-protect-materials.html