Kathon Metalworking Fluid Biocides

• Kathon 886 MW is 10 times more effective than

competitive biocides.
• One gallon of Kathon protects 8000-10000
gallons of metalworking fluid.
• Had 30% share of $18 million maintenance
biocide market.
• Satisfied customers demanded convenient and
safe-to-use version for small reservoirs (50-100
gallon).
• Rohm & Hass intense product development effort
led to creation of Kathon MWX.
 Kathon MWX
• A unique packaging design for delivering liquid
biocide.
• 5.5 7.5-inch water-permeable plastic packet
containing two ounces of diatomaceous earth
soaked with Kathon 886 MW.
• Packet was designed to hang into
metalworking fluid reservoir by a strap
suspended on a plastic hook.
 Kathon 886MW & MWX
• Maintenance biocides
• Used in 70% of the metalworking fluids.
• Competitive maintenance biocides were
compatible in only about 45% of commercial
metalworking fluids.
 Customers
• 325 potential customers for
Kathon 886 MW.
1983 • 150,000 potential
customers for Kathon
MWX.

• Nonferrous metals
Biocide (aluminum, copper, etc)
• Ferrous metals (Iron &
users Steel).
Nonferrous Metals Ferrous Metals

• Used in making of • Range from large-scale

aluminum sheet, foil & cans. automated manufacture of
products to smaller-scale
• Central systems used production of pumps etc.
metalworking fluid in
• Capacity of central systems
reservoirs as large as in large scale production is
150000 gallons. similar to non-ferrous
• Kathon 886 MW, favored metals.
biocide, held about 70-80% • Being cost effective, Kathon
of $3 million-$5 million 886 MW overall share of
market. $12 million-$16 million
ferrous market was 15%-
20%.
 Competition
• Rohm & Hass
15-20% • Lehn & Fink
share • Dow Chemical
• Angus Chemical

• Union Carbide with

2 chemical Gluteraldehyde
• ICI with Proxel
companies • Both for Central Systems.
 (Continued)

Tris Nitro • Sump Saver Tablets.

• One two-ounce tablet treated 25
(Angus gallons of metalworking fluid.
• Works only 3 days, less effective against
product) bacteria & ineffective against fungi.

• Water soluble packaging.

• 2.5-pound treats 500 gallons of fluid.
Dowicil 75 • Effective against bacteria & fungi,
contain ammonia odor and released
formaldehyde.
Rohm & Hass