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An all-purpose cleaner (APCs) is a cleaner that is gentle enough that it doesn't damage surfaces, but effective enough that it removes stains, dirt, and grease. APC liquids contain surfactants and other functional ingredients such as chelant, buffers, solvents, perfume and preservative. Neutral pH provides the best surface safety.
A preservative is a natural or synthetic chemical that is added to prevent the growth of molds, yeasts and bacteria. Common pathogens include staphylococcus aureus (+), pseudomonas aeruginosa, escherichia Coli (-), burkholderia cepacia (-), klebsiella pneumoniae (-), enterobacter gergoviae (-), serratia marcescens (-), acetobacter Aceti (-) and halomonas (-) bacteria and apergillus brasiliensis mold.
Benzisothiazolinone (BIT) is part of a class of molecules called isothiazolinones and is widely used as a preservative in consumer products. However, isothiazolinones can cause allergic reactions even at small concentrations, which results in changes to product labeling. Two alternatives to isothiazolinones are lactic acid and sodium benzoate, but the bactericidal efficiency is highly pH dependent, they are most effective at pH 2-4, and sodium benzoate costs $0.05/kg vs BIT at $0.006/kg.
We are interested in the preservation of an APC liquid at neutral pH (6-9) and are seeking replacements for isothiazolinones. These preservatives will be used in consumer applications such as all-purpose cleaners and should meet our sustainability and cost targets.
- Short-term solution (~1 year to commercialization): On the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) list (or international equivalents) and/or is approved for use by Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR)
- Long-term solution (~3 years to commercialization): Does not need to be registered
- Drives equal bactericidal activity to 100ppm benzisothiazolinone (BIT) in neutral pH all-purpose cleaner (APC) liquid. The Germ kill success criteria is at least 3 log reduction (99.9%) by day 2 and 5 logs reduction by day 7 against pathogens.
- Compatible with pH (6-9)
- The ideal solution will be of equal cost to BIT ($0.006/kg), but we are also interested in lower cost than sodium benzoate ($0.05/kg)
- Compatible with ethanol, perfume
- Does not affect overall color or odor profile
- Stable over the shelf life of the product (minimum 2 years)
- Technology cannot already be patented by a competitor as it is essential P&G has freedom to practice
- The solution should not contain: biocides driving skin sensitization and skin/eye irritation (such as MIT/CMIT, MIT); Formaldehyde donors (such as DMDM Hydantoin, Bronopol, glutaral); Fluorine or phosphorus-based chemistries
At P&G, innovation is what we do best. We love finding solutions to problems. With the heart of a start-up and the resources of a global corporation, we are always looking for ways to reinvent every aspect of our business. As we innovate, we find inspiration in people - their needs, values, desires, and passions. The people of P&G R&D know that collaboration is key to unlocking visionary thinking. Our experts seamlessly work together with our external partners in the pursuit of the new, the next, the impossible. Read more here: https://www.pgconnectdevelop.com/
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