Antimicrobials for plastics

Getman G. An advanced polymeric antimicrobial for plastic materials including polyolefin resins. International Polyolefins, conference proceedings. Society of Plastics Engineers 2008. 

Antioxidants are expensive, so although their sales are small in volume terms they are much larger by value, about six times those of antimicrobials for plastics. The demand depends considerably on polyolefins, sales of which have been growing faster than those of most other resin types. In 2000, global sales of antioxidants in polymers were valued at US 1.35 billion. Phenolics accounted for the majority ( 670 M), phosphites for 470M, and thioesters and various other types for 200 M, according to BRG Townsend. 

Antimicrobials for plastics are considered pesticides and must be registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (ERA). Registration requires the submission of toxicity, efficacy, safety, handling, and environmental data. 

Antimicrobials for plastics contain active ingredients dispersed in a carrier material—a plasticizer, solvent, or resin. Liquid, powdered, and pelleted versions featuring even distribution in formulation and ease of handling are available. The most widely used active ingredients for polymer materials are 10,10-oxybisphmoxarsine, OBPA (Intercide from Alcros Chemicals), and 2-n-octy-4-ixothiazolin-3-l (Micro-Check from Ferro Corp.). Other chemistries are also available. AntimiCTobials are also commercially manufactured by Akzo Chemicals, Morton International Inc., Hexcel Corporation, and Uniroyal Chemical Company. 

In 1965, Scientific Oil and Chemical Company Inc. introduced the first preservative designed specifically for plastics preservation, 10, lO -oxybisphenoxarsine (OBPA) [II, 19.1.]. The initial product was a 1% solution in epoxidized soybean oil. The early products were particularly designed for flexible PVC applications. Over the years additional products have been developed with up to 5% OBPA in liquid solutions. In 1976, solid resin concentrates of OBPA were introduced. These products have improved handling convenience. The first isothiazoline, 2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (OIT) [II, 15.4.], was registered for use as an antimicrobial for plastic in 1973. 

In recent years, the predominant antimicrobials for plastics include a wide variety of different chemical types. The leading antimicrobials currently being used in plastics include ... 

Antimicrobials for plastics are usually supplied as a biocide concentrate rather than the pure active ingredient because the safe handling of many of the pure antimicrobial agents requires special precautions for which the typical plastic processor is not equipped. The use of concentrates also helps insure that the relatively low level of the additive is accurately dosed and well dispersed into the plastic during processing. Several products are offered as both liquid solutions or polymer pellet concentrates. 

CEFIC has estimated that more than 60% of the 2,000 biocidal active ingredients and of the 20,000 formulated biocidal products containing them currently marketed in the EU may eventually be withdrawn as a result of the implementation of the Biocidal Products Directive. Avecia believes the BPD is likely to restrict new product development and increase the costs of notifying and listing active substances, meaning that research on new actives will be difficult to justify. Avecia Protection Hygiene develops and produces antimicrobials for more than 25 applications in industrial preservation, disinfection, plastics, textiles and personal care, and it continues to develop new products. 

Unfortunately, antimicrobial components (often as much as 15-50/lb) are often too expensive to be affordable by WPC deck manufacturers. Biocides for plastics... 

Durotoc . [Morum Int L Mruton Int l. NV SA] Antimicrobial, mildew- uoofing agent for plastics, latex carpet backing, dry film preservative, filiation papers. 

Temasept [Hexcel] Salicylanilide antimicrobial for resins, latexes, plastics. 

Chem. Descrip. Bis (tributyltin) oxide CAS 56-35-9 EINECS/ELINCS 200-268-0 Uses Antimicrobial for paper mill slime control, industrial cooling water, sec. oil recovery, hospital use, textiles, plastics, urethane foam, paper preservation antifoulant for ship-bottom paints wood presenrative Properties Straw-colored clear Iiq. sol. in org. soivs. relatively insol. in water m.w. 596 sp.gr. 1.17 dens. 9.7 Ib/gal f.p. < -45 C b.p. 180 C (2 mm) flash pt. (TCC) > 100 C 96% assay, 38.8% tin Toxicology Extremely irritating to eyes and skin can cause eye damage prolonged/repeated skin contact can cause chemical bums Biotrend 500 [ISP]... 

Uses Antimicrobial for metal coolant and cutting fluids, plastics (PVC,... 

Chem. Descrip. Zinc pyrithione CAS 13463 1-7 EINECS/ELINCS 236-671-3 Uses Antimicrobial for metal coolant and cutting fluids, plastics (PVC, polyolefins, urethanes, nat. and syn. latex, SBR, EPDM), fabric coatings. paints (decorative, latex, masoniy, architectural), carpets, wiie/cable insulation, adhesives, caulks, vinyl/urethane flooring antidandruff agent for shampoos preservative for cosmetics, surgical scrubs, acne preps., topical antibacterial prods. 

Uses Fungicide antimicrobial, preservative in pharmaceuticals and foods preservative for cosmetics, dental prods., starches, adhesives clinical reagent (bilirubin assay) nucleating agent for plastics corrosion inhibitor for antifreeze coolants, metals in impregnated paper, emulsion paints, wrapping materials, aerosol cans, sol. cutting oils mfg. of dyes rust inhibitor mildew inhibitor mold inhibitor for tobacco flavor-... 

Synonyms Diphenylstibene-2-ethylhexanoate [(2-Ethyl-1-oxohexyl) oxy] diphenylstibine Stibine, diphenyl-, 2-ethylhexanoate Stibine, ((2-ethyl-1-oxohexyl) oxy) diphenyl-Empirical C2iH2702Sb Properties M.w. 433.20 Uses Biostabilizer for plastics antimicrobial for protection of PVC systems Diphenyl sulfide CAS 139-66-2 Synonyms DPS... 

Hazardous Decomp. Prods. Heated to decomp., emits very toxic fumes of Br and NOx Uses Antimicrobial for resins, latex emulsions, plastics, soaps antiseptic Regulatory FDA prohibited in cosmetics Manuf./Distrib. Atomergic Chemetals http //www.atomergic.com, Sinochem Jiangsu Wuxi http //www.sinochemwuxi.com... 

Biocides, also referred to as antimicrobials, preservatives, fungicides, mildewcides, or bactericides, include several types of materials that differ in toxicity. OBPA (10, lO -oxybisphenoxarsine) is the most active preservative of those commonly used for plastics. Amine-neutralized phosphate and zinc-OMADINE (zinc 2-pyridinethianol-1-oxide) have a lower activity level but are also effective. In the United States all biocides are considered pesticides and must be registered for specific applications with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

A survey sponsored by Avecia and carried out in the USA ascertained the general public s opinion of antimicrobials in plastics products. It showed support for their use in public spaces (hospitals, restaurants, hotels, aircraft) and in products associated with babies and yoimg children, but there was less enthusiasm about the need to protect products used in private homes. Respondents were willing to pay a small premium (up to 10%) over the price of improtected articles, but not a large one. 

The global market for antimicrobials in plastics was 25,000 tonnes in 2001, and it has been valued more recently (in 2003) at US 122 M, at the active manufacture level. This represents a 40% growth over the previous ten years. North America accounts for approximately 40% of consumption, and its global share is declining, according to Biocides Information Services BRG Townsend puts the US share at one-third of the market by value. 

There exists a great variety of applicabilities for plastic materials displaying durable antimicrobial properties. This is also valid for coatings and wood treated with SAM-polymer. 

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