Paving the Way for Environmentally Responsible Microbial Control

Around the globe increasingly stringent environmental product and safety requirements are affecting a wide variety of manufactured products. These requirements extend into many markets and applications that rely on biocides to protect products and processes from microbial degradation. With a reputation for offering the most well characterized and scientifically understood biocide actives and products, Dow Biocides, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, is paving the way for environmentally responsible microbial control.

Leading this movement is the introduction of new Low Emission (LE) Technology from Dow Biocides, which offers environmentally preferred carriers that can be applied to actives throughout the portfolio while maintaining key performance attributes. LE Technology represents a commitment from Dow Biocides to its customers, distributors and formulators to confront the challenges that face different industries and to achieve preferred environmental solutions. LE Technology is impacting markets as diverse as personal care, industrial water treatment and metalworking fluids, as well as paints and coatings.

Among the most impacted industries, the paints and coatings market is responding to market and regulatory demands by closely monitoring volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and closely managing the use of hazardous materials. Biocides are crucial ingredients in water-based coating formulations providing the critical functions of preventing microbial contamination and proliferation, which could result in product degradation or loss of desirable properties. The role of biocides becomes even more significant as paint and coatings manufacturers explore the use of "environmentally friendly" raw materials, which are intrinsically more susceptible to microbial contamination, and much harder to preserve.

As a leader in sustainable chemistry, Dow Biocides has developed the LE Technology product line to meet the emerging demands of the marketplace. This innovative product line addresses the requirements for low/no-VOC levels while offering significant advantages over the generic solvent-based or aqueous biocide formulations. This product line will encompass three of the antimicrobial actives widely used in paint and coatings formulations: BIT, bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitro-propane-1, 3-diol) and IPBC (3-iodopropargyl-N-butylcarbamate). The first two actives are used for the wet state preservation of paints and coatings, while the third, IPBC, is one of the most popular dry film fungicides. The BIT and IPBC actives are now available. Please see below for details.

  • BIOBAN™ IPBC 40 LE Antimicrobial
  • BIOBAN™ ULTRA BIT 20 LE Antimicrobial
    • Key Benefits
      • Low/No VOC; Environmentally preferred carrier - The carrier has VOC 1 g/l [EPA method 24] and is practically non-toxic to aquatic organisms
      • Low viscosity; Easy to pour - At least 10 times less viscous than dispersion formulations and at least 2 times less viscous than glycolic formulations
      • Cold temperature stable Freezing point is lower than -15°C

To facilitate formulations that can be used in eco-compliant paints and coatings, Dow Biocides has introduced a comprehensive product platform of antimicrobials and preservatives branded as LE biocidal formulations. The LE products offer significant benefits to paint formulators as compared to other biocidal formulations, while meeting stringent low VOC standards. Use of the LE product line, together with a disciplined industrial hygiene program that includes the use of a fast acting sanitizer such as DOWICIL™ QK-20 Antimicrobial, leads to robustly protected, environmentally responsible paint and coatings products.

Please note that not all products are registered in all regions for all applications. Please contact your local Dow representative for detailed technical information applicable to your individual situation.

USE BIOCIDES SAFELY. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND PRODUCT INFORMATION BEFORE USE..

For more information visit the LE Technology section or tell us about your application through the Contact Us form.

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