Biodegradable biocide agents

Citation

(2002), "Biodegradable biocide agents", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 49 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.2002.12849aad.010

Biodegradable biocide agents

Keywords: Biocides, Biodegradability

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 stated to be biodegradable, eliminable or are mineralized to form harmless end-products.

Bronopol is one of BASF's principal biocide agents. BASF consider it to be extremely effective in combination with numerous other biocides, for example certain isothiazolones, quarternary ammonium salts and dibromodicyanobutane. Using these agents together with bronopol is believed to be 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 said to be very suitable for controlling bacteria that have developed tolerance to other agents, such as isothiazololnes. In BASF's opinion this makes bronopol an efficient biocide agent that will continue to manufacture in the long term using well-established production technology.

Details available from: BASF Aktiengesellschaft, Tel: +49 821 600; Fax: +49 821 602 01 29.