Arch Chemicals Granted A Patent By European Patent Office For Zinc Omadine ZOE Fungicide-Algaecide

Norwalk, CT - The European Patent Office recently granted Arch Chemicals, Inc. a patent for its zinc Omadine ZOE dispersion product, which is used in interior and exterior paints to deter the growth of mold and mildew.

The new patent is the third granted by the European Patent Office for proprietary Arch pyrithione compounds in formulations containing zinc salts, which also help prevent discoloration in pyrithione-containing paints. All three of these European patents are in force in Germany, Denmark, France, Great Britain and Italy.

"As this latest patent makes clear, we at Arch Chemicals continue to develop new, value-added zinc Omadine(R) formulations that provide numerous benefits to paint and coatings makers and their customers," said Ken Christy, Vice President of Arch's industrial biocides business. "Arch is one of the leading, global providers of biocides to control the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria in paints and other building products. This market leadership is a result of our strong patent position, regulatory and toxicological expertise, and ability to tailor our biocides to satisfy our customers' needs."

In addition to key European nations, Arch Chemicals has zinc Omadine ZOE patents granted in America, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan. Patents are also pending for this advanced coatings technology in Thailand and Japan. Arch has also obtained the required regulatory approvals for our product's use in paints in all of these countries.

Zinc Omadine ZOE dispersion is one of an extensive product line of highly active, broad-spectrum antimicrobials offered by Arch. Increasingly, Arch's biocides are being incorporated as antimicrobials into interior and exterior paints, wallboard, ceiling tiles, flooring materials and carpeting. In this role, they serve as a vital weapon against the Sick Building Syndrome, which refers to the growing problem of students, teachers, homeowners and office workers becoming sick from mold, mildew and bacteria that form on interior surfaces.

Arch's product line for architectural paints and coatings and other building products includes zinc Omadine Fungicide-Algaecide, sodium Omadine Fungicide-Algaecide, Omacide IPBC, Proxel, Densil, Vantocil, Triadine and Reputain products. For more information about these products, as well as the use of Arch's biocides in marine paints, visit the website at www.archbiocides.com.

SORUCE: Arch Chemicals, Inc.