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Patented environmentally friendly inorganic salt for enduring film preservation to suppress mold and algae growth

Summary

Profile Type
  • Technology offer
POD Reference
TODE20240708008
Term of Validity
8 July 2024 - 8 July 2025
Company's Country
  • Germany
Type of partnership
  • Investment agreement
  • Research and development cooperation agreement
  • Commercial agreement with technical assistance
Targeted Countries
  • All countries
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General information

Short Summary
A German start-up has developed a patent-protected phosphonate complex. Due to its mode of action, this substance is suitable as an additive to paints and plasters to efficiently suppress the growth of undesirable microorganisms such as mold or algae without causing VOCs. The start-up is looking for cooperation partners, licensees and/or investors to further develop the new technology for material protection or in the construction segment until it is ready for series production.
Full Description
Poorly implemented thermal insulation measures, in particular excessive insulation with insufficient ventilation, often lead to increased mold growth on wall surfaces. This not only affects the visual appearance, but also poses a health problem due to the spores in the room air. Conventional volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are added to special paints to prevent mould growth, are unsustainable and inadequate as a solution, as they evaporate relatively quickly into the surrounding room due to their high vapor pressure and thus lose their protective effect.

As several VOCs are viewed very critically from a toxicological point of view and have therefore already lost their approval for this application in some cases, a better principle is urgently required. For this reason, a German start-up has developed a patent-protected phosphonate complex that differs from established phosphonates through improved environmental properties and a greatly extended duration of action. This new type of phosphonate complex, which does not evaporate and can therefore remain effective for as long as required without polluting the indoor air, is able to effectively remedy the disadvantages mentioned above. The mechanism of action does not consist of a toxic effect, but rather the harmful organisms cannot develop because the availability of phosphate as a vital basis for metabolism is reduced. As phosphate is generally also the minimum growth-limiting factor for algae growth (see Eutrophication of surface waters by phosphates as a reverse effect), algae growth is also inhibited as a result.

Due to its simple and elegant mode of action, this substance is ideally suited as an additive to paints and plasters to suppress the growth of undesirable microorganisms such as molds or algae over very long periods of time without causing contamination with volatile organic compounds. In addition, the substance also appears to be of interest for wood preservation and can possibly even be used against termites.

The patented phosphonate complex can be produced in any tonnage without problems in the supply chain, and the wide range of applications means that further synergy effects can be used to reduce costs. Overall, it is expected that the demand for corresponding applications will increase as existing products no longer meet the "green profile" required for consumer and environmental protection reasons or even must disappear from the market due to expiring approvals.
Advantages and Innovations
Advantages of the innovation are:

• Principle of Mode of Action is based on two billion years of biological evolution
• Nontoxic or harmful to consumers and environment
• Simple and wasteless production process
• Almost limitless scalability
• Protected by international patents
Stage of Development
  • Available for demonstration
Sustainable Development Goals
  • Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
  • Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
  • Goal 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal
  • Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
  • Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
IPR status
  • IPR granted

Partner Sought

Expected Role of a Partner
The Start-Up is looking for co-operation partners, licensees and/or investors to further develop the new technology for material protection or in the construction segment until it is ready for series production.
Type and Size of Partner
  • SME 50 - 249
  • SME 11-49
  • SME <=10
  • Big company
Type of partnership
  • Investment agreement
  • Research and development cooperation agreement
  • Commercial agreement with technical assistance

Dissemination

Technology keywords
  • 03004010 - Special chemicals, intermediates
  • 03004003 - Colours, dyes related to Chemical Technology
  • 10002013 - Clean Production / Green Technologies
  • 02007004 - Colours and varnish
Market keywords
  • 08001007 - Coatings and adhesives manufactures
  • 08001021 - Other speciality chemicals
Targeted countries
  • All countries