MarketsandMarkets forecasts the biocide market to reach $10.6 billion this year, experiencing a 4.8 percent CAGR between 2015 and 2020.

In the paint and coatings industry, which is one of the prominent end-use industries, the use of biocides adds value by protecting the painted surface from microbial contamination due to reopening and closing multiple times while using it for large projects/complexes, according to Grand View Research.

The paints and coatings application segment accounted for a revenue share of 27.2 percent in 2019, per GVR.

However, COVID-19 has affected many markets in its wake.

“The COVID-19 pandemic, which has significantly affected construction activities as well as transportation and resulted in economic downturns, is expected to negatively impact the consumption from the paints and coatings, wood preservation, oil and gas, and HVAC industries,” Grand View Research reported. “However, a certain rise in consumption can be witnessed from the cleaning application owing to the accelerated manufacturing of disinfectants, sanitizers, and other cleaning products.”

Corey King, PhD., VP, Science & Technology at Troy Corporation reported positive growth in the biocide market.

“While there are many COVID-related uncertainties in the near term, the coatings industry currently remains strong. We are seeing a high demand for our products and services worldwide, and we expect this to continue. An unexpected effect on biocide demand was seen with a steady increase in DIY product sales in 2020, which in turn fueled customer demand for Troy products and services,” he said. “While there is no proven relationship between antimicrobial protection of coatings to the reduced spread of COVID-19, we have seen an increasing interest in dry-film antibacterial protection for these interior coatings applied in hospitals, food processing locations, elder care facilities, daycare centers, as well as homes. This is a trend that has been developing in recent years and has accelerated since the onset of the global pandemic.”

“Naturally the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a surge in demand for skin and surface disinfectants and we have seen many paint manufacturers repurpose their facilities to manufacture such products. In the context of coatings, there has been increased interest in antimicrobial and antiviral additives for hygienic paints,” added David Tierney, CEO of SANITIZED Preservation AG. “Since coatings that are claimed to have these characteristics typically need to be registered it is likely that many will only be launched in 2021 at the earliest. Demand for regular in canned and dry film biocides has not been significantly impacted.”

The global biocides market is driven by the increased demand from the end-user industries such as oil and gas, mining, pulp and paper, among others, according to MarketsandMarkets.

Growth can be attributed to continuous investments in R&D, development of synergic chemistries for product diversification, innovation, enhanced performance, and application expansion, according to Grand View Research.

“Even before the global pandemic, the interior dry-film preservative market was growing rapidly worldwide. Today’s modern, energy-efficient buildings are more ‘airtight’, which often leads to increased humidity and moisture condensation. Collected moisture in conditioned interior living spaces leads rapidly to mold and fungal growth, which is unsightly, foul-smelling and damaging to coated surfaces. Interior mold growth in building materials is recognized as a major concern and is frequently identified as a contributor to ‘sick building syndrome’. In mold-infested buildings, the most commonly identified fungi are species of the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Chaetomium, and Stachybotrys, among others. Since humidity condensation cannot be avoided in all cases, the application of film fungicides continues to grow in importance,” King said. “Another growth driver is increased global emphasis on sustainability. Modern preservatives enable coatings and related materials to last longer, which in turn protect substrates for longer periods. The benefit is a decrease in wasted material.”

“The continuing trend towards waterborne technologies and climate change both increase the need for effective biocide solutions. Water-based technologies with increased regulation of other raw materials mean that the in-can biocide system is more crucial than ever,” Tierney added. “Plant hygiene and process management are also important factors in maintaining product integrity. Climate change means that the growth of fungi and algae on paint surfaces is more prevalent, especially in humid regions. At the same time, customers are looking for longer product performance for up to 10 years.”

According to MarketsandMarkets, the Asia-Pacific region, with its reviving economy and rapidly expanding commercial and industrial base” is projected to experience the highest growth.

Tierney concurs.

“Asia Pacific is the largest region, driven by developing economies and continuous urbanization,” he said. “Here too there is the highest demand for dry film protection due to the local climate. Almost 25 percent of the world’s architectural paint production is now in China.”

The increasing demand for preservatives from the food and beverage segment coupled with the rising demand for paints and coatings is driving the market for biocides in the Asia Pacific region, according to MarketsandMarkets.

Europe is projected to witness slow growth during the forecast period due to stringent environmental norms in the region, according to MarketsandMarkets.

North America is the largest market for biocides followed by Asia-Pacific, MarketsandMarkets reported.

North America is mostly driven by the market for paints and coatings and wood preservation, according to Grand View Research.

“North America and Europe continue to be the largest biocide consumers, as they have been historically,” King said. “In addition to these more mature markets, we have seen significant growth in Asia, notably China, as well as India. Latin America and the Middle East and Africa are growing steadily as well.”

To combat COVID-19, companies have shifted gears to produce PPE, hand sanitizer and other products.

“Again, we must draw a clear line between purported efficacy against COVID-19, versus imparting an antifungal or antibacterial effect to an applied coating,” King cautioned

“The broader supplier base for sanitizers and disinfectants is working hard to supply the unprecedented demand for these products in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19,” he continued. “Meanwhile, Troy is harnessing its expertise in dry-film protection to innovate a new generation of interior film preservatives that can provide antifungal and antibacterial efficacy.”

Troy R&D developed a slow-release form of the antibacterial substance BIT, which King said, “to allow for its use in antibacterial paints.

“Data has shown that interior paints containing this compound demonstrate efficacy against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and the difficult to control Pseudomonas aeruginosa (using the JIS Z2801 and GBT21866 tests),” he added.

Troy’s first product incorporating this novel immobilized BIT technology is Troysan 1050 antibacterial dry-film preservative for interior coatings, King noted.

“This zero-VOC product is especially favored for use in hygienic coatings applied in healthcare, and public spaces,” he explained. “In the Asia-Pacific region, Troy has introduced two advanced antifungal and antibacterial dry-film preservatives for interior coatings protection: Polyphase 2167 & 2175.

“Based on immobilized BIT and combined with antifungal technology, these innovative preservatives have been the subjects of increasing customer interest in the Asian market, especially since the onset of COVID-19,” the VP said. “Polyphase 2167 offers antibacterial efficacy through immobilized BIT and incorporates IPBC for protection against mold & mildew. Polyphase 2175 further incorporates carbendazim, also known as BCM, for an even wider spectrum of protection against mold & mildew species.

“Troy is also promoting its unique HomeShield Antimicrobial Protection co-branding program for manufacturers of interior and exterior coatings. Co-branding with Troy is a value-added opportunity for manufacturers to achieve product differentiation, increase consumer loyalty, and benefit from marketing support,” King continued.

“Unlike other ‘brands’, HomeShield is backed by microbiological testing requirements and is designed to promote a proven, superior performing product. In light of COVID-19, consumers are more likely to be seeking products that clearly communicate antimicrobial protection. Having the HomeShield brand on paint, coating, and sealant packaging means increased visibility and perceived value for these products, as well as differentiation on the shelf,” he concluded.

SANITIZED used its experience in the antimicrobials market to launch two new silver-based products: Sanitized AC+ and Sanitized AP+, Tierney said.

Both products “have demonstrated a good efficacy against selected bacteria and virus strains, including a model human coronavirus type,” the CEO noted. “These are aimed at medical and institutional environments to help reduce the spread of germs.”