manufacturers are tasked with providing a compliant biocide
that will protect against contamination both during production
and in-can.
“Increasingly, we are being asked for zero VOC, formaldehyde-free preservatives, which will have minimal impact on the environment,” said Tierney. “Emphasis is also being placed on longer
term performance and reduced leaching for dry film preservatives.
The requirements for low and zero VOC coatings have in-
creased and continue to drive the coatings market. “This trend
has impacted both the selection of biocide chemistry as well as
the performance criteria since lower VOC formulations are gen-
erally more susceptible to microbiological attack and therefore
need more robust preservation systems,” said Tierney. “Overall
we have seen a significant move to aqueous-based formulations
and combinations of less volatile active chemicals. As a result,
paint formulators are increasingly using biocidal products.”
“With environmental regulations driving substantial changes
in the biocides market, paint and coatings producers now require
technologies that minimize the risk of environmental impact and
at the same time meet key performance requirements,” said
Fahmy. “An ongoing shift in biocides technology is in line with
changes in the way architectural coatings will be made and sold.”
Ashland has seen an increase in demand for formaldehyde-
free, low and zero VOC biocides formulations and other fungi-
cide and algaecide products produced with globally accepted raw
materials. “Ashland Specialty Ingredients produces novel and ef-
ficient water-based preservatives and fungicides produced with
globally accepted technology,” said Fahmy.
Ashland, Lonza make key
acquisitions in 2011
Two mega-deals occurred in the biocides
market during the year when International Specialty Products (ISP) and Arch
Chemicals were bought. First Ashland
purchased ISP in August 2011 for $3.2
billion. ISP has been integrated into the
Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients
commercial unit, more than doubling the
size of Ashland’s highest-margin business.
An integration team with key representatives of both companies is being led
by John Panichella, president of the new
Ashland Specialty Ingredients business.
Ashland anticipates approximately $50
million in annual run-rate savings by the
end of the second year through eliminating redundancies and capturing operational efficiencies.
“Primarily, the ISP businesses have
been integrated into the Ashland
Aqualon Functional Ingredients commercial unit,” said Ray Fahmy, business
director, biocides North America, Ash-
land Specialty Ingredients. “The com-
bined unit is now called Ashland
Specialty Ingredients. With a larger range
of coatings ingredients managed under
the auspices of Ashland Specialty Ingre-
dients, we will better serve formulators
and marketers of architectural and in-
dustrial coatings.”
In October 2011, Lonza Group AG
completed the acquisition of Arch Chem-
icals Inc. for approximately $1.2 billion.
Arch Chemicals’ products are used in a
number of industrial applications includ-
ing protecting wood from fungus and pre-
venting the growth of molds and mildew
in paints. The company reports that this
deal with Arch Chemicals will make Lonza
Group the leader in the $10 billion mar-
ket which is exhibiting growth of as much
as six percent per year.
Lonza Microbial Control, a new business sector formed by the acquisition and
led by Jeanne Thoma, offers a complete
portfolio of microbial control solutions.
Lonza will offer this complementary
range of products and actives to a
broader range of customers in both established and emerging markets.
“The Lonza Microbial Control business now comprises many complementary aspects and we will have access to
both interesting additional active chemistry as well as global technical and marketing resources, which will enable us to
further develop our product range and
service capabilities across the globe,”
said David Tierney, global business manager, Lonza Microbial Control.
The combined company has a significantly broadened range of active ingredients and worldwide formulated
product registrations. Lonza Microbial
Control now has an even stronger global
service and production footprint, greatly
enhancing our ability to provide our customers with the best solutions around
the world,” said Tierney. “In addition,
the combined businesses will support increased investment in R&D and product
development, bringing new microbial solutions to the benefit of our customers.”
