Sodium Pyrithione is an effective and high active broad-spectrum antimicrobial preservative, that acts against moulds, yeasts, bacteria and algae.

1. SODIUM PYRITHIONE
Sodium Pyrithione is an effective and high active broad-spectrum antimicrobial
preservative that acts against moulds, yeasts,bacteria and algae.
Generally by conventional methods, fungi (yeast and mold) are not easily detected
as the filamentous mycelial forms of mold tend to accumulate in machine
crevices, in piping, on sump walls, gear boxes and other solid surfaces. Besides
this accumulation occurs over damp walls and partition boards, Attempts to
completely eliminate bacteria using bactericides alone result in conditions that
influence the growth of fungi. Thus heavy fungal contamination may require both
mechanical and chemical treatment.
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2. Appearance
Dark yellow to amber brown solution
Solubility
Freely soluble in water
pH (neat)
8.5 to 10.5
Refractive Index
1.477 to 1.487
Assay
40 to 42 %
Particle size D50
D 50 ≤ 4μm
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3. Chemical stability :
Sodium Pyrithione is stable under normal environmental conditions if stored in
closed, dark containers. Even alkalinity of metal working fluids is not affected by
the addition of Sodium pyrithione.
Compatibility:
Compatible with most raw materials used in technical applications.
Antimicrobial Activity:
To control fungi very small doses of Sodium Pyrithione is required.
Studies indicate that Sodium Pyrithione can effectively control bacteria in
semisynthetic and synthetic metalworking fluids even at a minimum dose of 1000
ppm.
Other major applications include as an anti-fungal additive in Gypsum board
panels, as preservative in Lyophilised Human Plasma etc.
Different use and contamination conditions require different levels of Sodium
Pyrithione. Although it is compatible with most ingredients, both physical and
chemical compatibility testing is usually recommended.
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4. Leather AfterCare- Mould Control
Need for Mould Control:
 Moulds are infestation on various bio-substrates which tend to affect
the physical structure and characteristics.
 We need to often review the nature of the infestation and protect it in
time before it strikes the Leather and Leather goods.
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5. Treating Mould and Mildew:
Mould and mildew thrive in warm, dark, damp conditions. They penetrate
deep into the fibre of the leather which can weaken them and cause
permanent damage. Be aware that if leather is poorly stored mould and
mildew can grow very quickly. Mould and mildew penetrate leather to its
core and so are impossible to remove entirely. However, spores will remain
dormant if the correct preventative measures are taken.
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6. Known Facts:
 All molds are fungi, but not all fungi are molds.
 Mold and mildew represent a very simple life form which are unable to
perform photosynthesis in the usual manner. Both represent the same thing.
 The Nutrients in organic materials are digested by Molds using the available
enzymes in the substrates like Leather.
 Moulds are a special grades of fungi.
 The beginning is in the form of a single spore which visible only through a
microscope.
 Spores are transmitted by wind or by insects.
 When a spore lands on a suitable substrate like leather, it begins to germinate.
 The spore first breaks open to send out a tiny thread called the hypha.
 This hypha grows down into the leather, by soaking up food , and dividing into
many different hyphae. The leather ultimately becomes filled with mould hyphae.
 Next is the reproduction phase. The mould transmits hypha into the air, which
divides many times, producing many spores. With thousands of these substrates,
millions of spores are grown, ready to be carried to a new site by wind or insects
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7. Characteristics of a Mould:
 Initially as mould grows into leather, usually no major damage is caused. The
mould soaks up its food from the parts of the leather that do not contribute to
strength.
 Moulds impart colour-staining, grain marks and leave spots which makes the
finished leather look inferior causing downgrading of the finished product.
This can be expensive.
 Once moulds are inside the leather, simply cleaning the surface will not solve
the problem, since the moulds will grow right out again.
 Moulds can devour important additives used in leather making, such as fat
liquors, tannins and so on
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8. What do Moulds need to grow:
 Water. Allowing leather to get wet will encourage mould growth. Leather in
the wet blue state is highly prone to mould growth.
 Acidity. Slightly acidic environment allows Mould to grow best. Pickled pelts
are too acid for fast mould growth. Very alkaline conditions do not support
much mould growth.
 Warmth. Typical room temperatures between 25-30 deg C is very ideal for
Mould growth. Summer temperatures are very conducive so are tropical
weather. Leather stored in cool conditions will slow down the growth
effectively.
 Oxygen. If wet blues or pickled pelts are baled and pressed into a tightly
packed state, mould will only grow on the outside. There is too little oxygen
inside the pack to aid growth.
 Nutrients. Moulds soak up the soluble parts of leather as food.
Unfortunately, we cannot remove these to control mould growth. Some leathers
(like vegetable tanned leathers) have more nutrients, and support especially
vigorous mould growth.
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9. Fungicides:
 TCMTB [2(thiocyanomethylthio)benzothiazole
 OITZ [octyl isothiazolone or 2-n-octylisothiazolin-3-one
 MBT [sodium mercaptobenzothiazole or 2-mercaptobenzothiazole
 CMC Phenolic blend [para chloro meta cresol,
 Zinc 2-pyridinethiol-1-oxide (ZPT)
 Carbendazim 3-iodopropargyl-N-butylcarbamate (IPBC)
 ortho-phenylphenol (OPP)
 2,4,6-trichlorophenol ( TCP)
 2-benzimidazolyl-methylcarbamate ( BMC)
 Sodium Pyrithione
 diiodomethyltolyl-sulfone ( DIMTS)
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10. Why do Fungicide Fail:
 fungicide does not control a problem mould that appears in the Tannery
 concentration is too low to control a problem mould.
 fungicide formulation is unstable
 stage of application is not appropriate
 fungicide loses activity due to interaction with process components: oxidising or
reducing agents, alkalies or acids, greases.
 fungicide is ineffective on splits due to poor penetration or reasons above.
When Mould protection has failed:
 Rather than increase fungicide concentration, it is usually best to immediately
change to, or add, a different active ingredient.
 The characteristics of the ingredients must provide suitable and long standing
protection.
 Usually this can be assesed by the MIC of the ingredient which will provide the
best protection.
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11. Typical MIC requirements in a Shoe Polish:
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12. Criteria for Fungicide Selection:
 Some moulds are resistant to certain types of fungicide.
TCMTB for example is not effective against Trichoderma viride,
which can be brought into the tannery on the wooden pallets,
Amorphotheca resinae, on the other hand, are resistant to
phenolics.
 Selection of a suitable fungicide requires consideration of the
material to which it is to be applied and the conditions under
which the material is to be stored.
 Tanners should liaise closely with their fungicide suppliers to
ensure both optimum selection and application conditions as
well as ensuring that the fungicides are handled with due regard
to health and safety, i.e. using appropriate personal protective
equipment.
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13. KUMAR ORGANIC PRODUCTS LIMITED
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KUMAR ORGANIC PRODUCTS LIMITED,USA
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Email – kop@kumarorganic.net
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Email: sales_europe@kumarorganic.net
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KUMAR ORGANIC PRODUCTS (S) LIMITED
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#07-01- Centennial Business Centre
Singapore 069534
PH: 00 65 6223 1321
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Email : kumar_singapore@kumarorganic.net