S26: Opportunities for Microbial Control within the Paints & Coatings Industry

Tuesday, October 30, 2012: 2:00 PM
Tony A. Rook, Microbiology, The Sherwin-Williams Company, Cleveland, OH
Historically, paint & coating formulations have demonstrated relatively low susceptibility to wet-state microbial spoilage due to the use of conventional preservatives along with some inherent capability to resist microbial persistence.   However, as paint & coating formulations have increasingly driven towards ‘greener’ water-based formulations, microbial control strategies have become an ever more critical component to successful manufacturing of these products. Several key drivers can be identified as responsible for the increase of microbial ‘wet-state’ susceptibility of current paint & coating formulations.  Governmental and non-governmental eco-labeling organizations have demanded more enviromentally-preferrable ingredients within formulations, including the reduction of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) as well as the limitation of traditionally effective broad-spectrum preservative strategies such as formaldehyde-releasing actives.  In response, the industry has trended towards implementing more environmentally sustainable materials and processes, thereby increasing the water content of finished product and raw materials, which has resulted in less hostile environments for microbial proliferation.  Ineffective preservation can lead to compromised product quality, including viscosity or pH drift, product discoloration, or malodor, which can all compromise product performance.  Therefore, effective microbial preservation strategies within paint & coating formulations and raw materials, along with effective manufacturing hygiene practices are now essential to the industry.  Current opportunities for microbial control within the formulation of paint & coating products, the selection & maintenance of raw materials, and improvements to manufacturing operations will be reviewed.