Emerald Kalama Chemical named Univar as a champion distributor in the US for Kalaguard SB sodium benzoate, which it calls the first and only Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered sodium benzoate preservative, now available for home care applications.

"As the COVID-19 pandemic increases demand in the home care and industrial cleaning (HIC) markets for hard surface cleaners and home care products, Univar Solutions continues to deliver differential value by providing a consistent global approach through its expanding portfolio of solutions," said Joshua Hicks, VP-industrial solutions at Univar Solutions. "Kalaguard SB is an excellent example as this provides an additional preservative for home care applications to help meet changing regulatory needs and consumer demands in the HIC marketplace."

Kalaguard SB allows home care formulators to take advantage of the efficacy, economy and consumer-friendly profile of sodium benzoate as a preservative with more favorable labeling when compared to other preservative offerings. 

"Our collaboration with Emerald allows us to introduce this product to customers in concert with Emerald's technical support," added Aaron Lee, business director of home care and industrial cleaning at Univar Solutions. "This approach is expected to help make the transition to Kalaguard SB easier and allows us to better assist our customers with formulation challenges they may face."

Sodium benzoate is well-known as an additive in food, personal care products and pharmaceuticals. Emerald completed registration for Kalaguard SB as a new active ingredient under the US EPA Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) in October 2020, making it the preferred sodium benzoate preservative for home care applications available on the market today. Applications include in-container control of bacteria, yeasts and molds in industrial and household products such as fabric conditioner, hand wash liquid and general-purpose cleaners.

Rosanna Stokes, business development manager for Emerald's Consumer Specialties business in the Americas, added, "Recently, the range of available preservatives has decreased significantly due to regulatory pressure, evolving consumer preferences and supply disruptions. At the same time, there is demand for eco-friendly, skin-friendly products that are still adequately protected from microbial contamination. Emerald Kalama is a leader in HIC preservation and is excited to partner with Univar Solutions to introduce Kalaguard SB to customers. This globally trusted ingredient is non-sensitizing and non-irritating to the skin, nature identical, readily biodegradable and manufactured to the highest quality standards."

"Univar Solutions is pleased to be a champion distributor for Emerald's Kalaguard SB in the United States as Kalaguard SB further enhances our ability to serve customers in this market with best-in-class specialty ingredients," said Bill Perry, senior product manager at Univar Solutions. "Univar Solutions and Emerald are aligned and committed to driving and delivering innovation and growth in the home care market and developing new chemistries and solutions to help our customers' businesses succeed."