Product Information

KATHON™ CG
A Safe, Effective, Globally Approved Preservative for Rinse-Off Products

General For over thirty years The Dow Chemical Company has driven the progress of isothiazolinone
chemistry to meet our customers’ evolving needs. Our goal is to provide our personal care
customers with much more than a preservative. This product is effective for the preservation
of body washes, conditioners, liquid soaps, shampoos and wipes. The Dow Chemical
Company is committed to both the isothiazolinone chemistry and the personal care industry.
We have extensive toxicological and environmental databases and internal expertise that
has allowed KATHON™ CG to be registered globally. This knowledge has also helped us
support the product with both dermatologists and regulatory authorities throughout the world
with the following services:

• Regulatory data
• Extensive toxicological databases
• Environmental fate database that is continually updated
• Safe handling expertise that can help you in your manufacturing facilities
• Technical expertise with isothiazolinone chemistry
• More than 100 patents obtained since the 1960s
• Public relations/media expertise and support

Physical Properties The following are typical properties of KATHON CG; they are not to be considered as
product specifications.

Appearance, visual: ............................................................................................ Clear liquid

Color ................................................................................................................. APHA ≤ 100
Odor................................................................................................................................ Mild
Specific gravity @ 25°C ................................................................................................ 1.21
pH (as manufactured) .............................................................................................. 1.7 - 3.7
Stability .......................................................................... Stable at least one year at ambient
temperatures and at least 6 months at 50°C

Chemical Identification
The active ingredients of KATHON CG preservative are two isothiazolinones, identified by
the IUPAC system of nomenclature as: 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and 2-methyl-
4-isothiazolin-3-one.

CTFA/INCI Name CAS Number Empirical Formula

Active Ingredients:
Methyl chloro isothiazolinone 26172-55-4 C4 H4 Cl NOS
Methyl isothiazolinone 2682-20-4 C4 H5 NOS
The INCI Name Includes
the Additional Ingredients:
Magnesium chloride 7786-30-3 Mg Cl2
Magnesium nitrate 10377-60-3 Mg (NO3)2

Page 1 of 9 ® ™ Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow Form No. 253-02698-11/15/11 PS
 Typical Properties
KATHON™ CG preservative is a precise formulation of active ingredients and inert salts in
an aqueous solution. Each batch of KATHON CG is manufactured to exact specifications
and a certificate of analysis can be provided with each order.

Miscibility
KATHON CG is totally miscible in water, lower alcohols and glycols and has low solubility in
hydrocarbons.

KATHON™ CG
Active Ingredients:
5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one 1.13%*
2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one 0.37%*
Total 1.50%
Inert Ingredients:
Magnesium salts (chloride and nitrate) 23.00%
Water to 100.00%
*These are typical values and do not constitute specifications.

Special Features • Lowest dose

and Benefits • Broader spectrum of activity
• Worldwide registrations, including Japan
• Supplied as an aqueous solution readily incorporated into cosmetic formulations
• Good compatibility with surfactants and emulsifiers, irrespective of their ionic nature
• Effective over the entire pH range normally encountered in cosmetics
• No color or odor imparted to cosmetic products
• Low toxicity at recommended use levels
• Environmentally preferred
• Rapidly biodegradable
• Non-persistent in the environment
• Not bioaccumulating

Antimicrobial KATHON CG preservative exhibits outstanding antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive

Activity and Gram-negative bacteria, molds and yeasts. The following table gives the minimum level
in ppm of KATHON CG, as supplied, and as active ingredient that inhibited the growth of
various microorganisms in test tube cultures.

The data demonstrate the broad spectrum activity of KATHON CG, but must not be taken
as recommended use concentrations. Also, the microorganisms listed are not necessarily
involved in the contamination of personal care products.

Page 2 of 9 ® ™ Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow Form No. 253-02698-11/15/11 PS
 KATHON™ CG Active Ingredient
Organism ATCC No. (as supplied, ppm) (ppm)
Bacteria*
Gram-Positive
Bacillus cereus var. mycoides (R&H No. L5) 150 2
Bacillus subtilis (R&H No. B2) 150 2
Brevibacterium ammoniagenes 6871 150 2
Sarcina lutea 9341 300 5
Staphylococcus aureus 6538 150 2
Staphylococcus epidermidis 155 150 2
Streptococcus pyogenes 624 600 9
Gram-Negative
Achromobacter parvulus 4335 150 2
Alcaligenes faecalis 8750 150 2
Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) cepacia Gibraltar 165 50 0.75
Enterobacter aerogenes 3906 300 5
Escherichia coli 11229 300 5
Flavobacterium suaveolens 958 600 9
Proteus vulgaris 8427 300 5
Pseudomonas aeruginosa 15442 300 5
Pseudomonas fluorescens 13525 150 2
Pseudomonas oleoverans 8062 300 5
Salmonella typhosa 6539 300 5
Shigella sonnei 9292 150 2
Fungi*
Aspergillus niger 9642 600 9
Aspergillus oryzae 10196 300 5
Candida albicans (yeast) 11651 300 5
Chaetomium globosum 6205 600 9
Gliocladium fimbriatum (QM 7638) 600 9
Mucor rouxii (R&H L5-83) 300 5
Penicillium funiculosum 9644 300 5
Penicillium variable (glaucum) (U.S.D.A.) 150 2
Phoma herbarum (pigmentivora) 12569 150 2
Pullularia (Aureobasidium) pullulans 9348 300 5
Rhizopus stolonifer 10404 300 5
Rhodotorula rubra (yeast) 9449 150 2
Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) 2601 150 2
Trichophyton mentagrophytes (interdigitale) 9533 300 5
*Bacteriostatic and fungistatic tests performed by serially diluting test compounds in trypticase soy broth and
1:100 inoculation with 24-hour broth cultures of the test bacterium or a fungal spore suspension prepared
from 7-14 day culture slants washed with 7 ml of deionized water. Minimum inhibitory concentration levels
determined visually after 2 days incubation at 37°C for bacteria and 28 to 30°C for fungi.

Applications/ The maximum recommended use level for KATHON™ CG preservative is 0.1% by weight of
Directions for Use product as supplied (15 parts per million active ingredient) in rinse-off products and 0.05%
(7.5 parts per million active ingredient) in leave-on products. Because the components
of personal care formulations vary considerably and may have an impact on the effect of
preservatives, we urge each manufacturer to confirm the efficacy and stability of KATHON
CG in use.

Page 3 of 9 ® ™ Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow Form No. 253-02698-11/15/11 PS
Chemical Stability KATHON™ CG preservative has an established history of successful use as a preservative
in personal care products. It has been shown to provide protection in a wide range of
products over many years. However, there are some circumstances in which we would
advise potential users to confirm preservative stability. These are outlined below, together
with recommendations on how to optimize stability.

Temperatures and pH: As a general rule, a rise in temperature accelerates the rate of
degradation of chemicals. As demonstrated in Figure 1, KATHON CG is no exception. We
recommend that temperatures in excess of 50°C should be avoided during manufacturing
once the preservative has been incorporated into the formulation. Stability at ambient
temperature is very much formulation dependent. Generally, KATHON CG is stable up to a
pH of 8.0 over the lifetime of personal care products.
Figure 1 %
Stability of Active Ingredients

KATHON™ CG 75 pH 6.7
pH 6 (97%)
Preservative in
Deionized Water
versus pH at
25° and 35°C 50
pH 8 (73%)
pH 7 (70%)

25
pH 8 (27%)

Time (weeks)
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

Unchlorinated A.I., Chlorinated A.I. 25°C

all temperatures Chlorinated A.I. 35°C

Water Hardness: The presence of calcium and magnesium in hard water has a significant
positive impact on the stability of KATHON CG, as shown in Figure 2. KATHON CG has
been found to remain stable in the presence of hard water under circumstances in which
breakdown would normally be anticipated.

Amines and Amine Derivatives: The presence of amine impurities in raw materials has
a deleterious effect on the stability of KATHON CG. Secondary amines, in particular, show
severe antagonism, but a simple reduction in pH to below 7, converting the amine to its acid
salt, normally resolves the problem as demonstrated in Figure 3.

Reducing Agents: Some reducing agents are detrimental to isothiazolinone stability.

Sulfated and sulfonated surfactants often contain residual sulfite or bisulfite, which can
react with KATHON CG. We have found that use levels of the preservative are stable in
the presence of up to about 25 ppm bisulfite (expressed as SO2). Stability of KATHON
CG in surfactants where the level is greater than 25 ppm can be optimized by treating the
surfactant with a suitable oxidizing agent prior to adding KATHON CG.

Page 4 of 9 ® ™ Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow Form No. 253-02698-11/15/11 PS
Figure 2 %
Stability of Active Ingredients
KATHON™ CG 75

Preservative
25°C (65°F)

versus Water
Hardness at pH 8 35°C (96.2°F)
50

25

Time (weeks)
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

Unchlorinated A.I. all hardness Chlorinated A.I.

Chlorinated A.I. 50 ppm hardness 1000 ppm hardness

Figure 3 %
Stability of
Active Ingredients
pH 6
KATHON™ CG
75 pH 7

Preservative in a
2.5% Cocamide
Diethanolamine
Aqueous Solution 50
at 35°C and
Various pH Values

25

pH 8 Time (weeks)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Unchlorinated A.I. (at all pH values) Chlorinated A.I. (pH 7)

Chlorinated A.I. (pH 6) Chlorinated A.I. (pH 8)

Thiols: Thiols such as cysteine and zinc pyrithione are detrimental to the stability of
KATHON CG preservative. Proteins or protein hydrolysates may contain thiols which could
be available to react with KATHON™ CG.

Formulation Following our recommendations in formulating with KATHON CG preservative will enhance
Considerations stability and control preservative cost.

It is important to follow these general guidelines when possible:

• Slightly acidic pH values are preferred

Page 5 of 9 ® ™ Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow Form No. 253-02698-11/15/11 PS
 • Neutralize free diethanolamine when present (with citric acid for example)
• Eliminate residual SO2 when present, using a suitable oxidizing agent
• Avoid high temperatures. During manufacture, add KATHON™ CG when the temperature
is at or below 50°C
• Stearic and phosphoric acids can react with magnesium stabilizers in KATHON CG to
form insoluble magnesium stearate and magnesium phosphate salts
• Use hard water (better than D.I.) when possible
• Avoid formulations in which cysteine and zinc pyrithione are present
• KATHON CG preservative stability should be evaluated in products containing protein
hydrolysates to ensure preservative stability is adequate
• KATHON CG can be used effectively in combination with a wide range of preservatives

The information presented herein will help you evaluate KATHON CG as a preservative for
your products. The Dow Chemical Company will be pleased to assist you in determining the
optimum concentration of KATHON CG preservative for specific product formulations.

Efficacy in The microbiological performance of KATHON CG preservative in most personal care

Cosmetics and products is excellent. Longterm microbiological protection is obtained employing use levels
Toiletries up to 15 ppm active ingredient (0.1% product, as supplied, by weight). Typical use levels for
most personal care products (shampoos, conditioners, gels and surfactants) are in the range
of 5 ppm to 10 ppm active ingredients (a.i.). For each formulation, it is important to insure
stability of the active ingredient and assess the efficacy through a microbiological challenge
test.

The Dow Chemical Company typically uses a 4-week challenge test with 2 inoculations of
a mixed inoculum, coupled with an analysis of the active ingredient by High-Performance
Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). More details of this procedure can be obtained from your
Dow Chemical Company representative.

For more information on the mechanism of action of KATHON CG, please request
publication “KATHON Biocides – Mechanism of Action.”

Analytical High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

Procedures HPLC analysis is the preferred method for determining low levels (0.01-0.1%) of KATHON
CG preservative.

This method can be used to determine KATHON CG levels in many personal care products.
If you require detailed information on HPLC methods, please contact your Dow Microbial
Control representative.

Toxicity, Safety Please refer to the Safety Data Sheet.

and First Aid

Storage, Handling Please refer to the Safety Data Sheet.

and Disposal

Personal Protective Equipment

• Material is CORROSIVE. Do not get in eyes, on skin, or clothing. Causes eye damage
and skin burns. May cause allergic skin reaction. May be harmful if swallowed or absorbed
through the skin. Keep away from children.

Page 6 of 9 ® ™ Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow Form No. 253-02698-11/15/11 PS
 • Wear appropriate safety gear when handling. Wear goggles or safety glasses, face shield
and gloves (butyl rubber or nitrile) when handling. Avoid breathing vapor or mist. Avoid
contamination of food. Do not take internally. Wash thoroughly after handling.

Disposal of Spilled and Waste Material

Spills and cleaning runoffs should not be discharged where they can drain into sewage
treatment plants, lakes, streams, ponds, or other public waters. Follow the disposal methods
given on the package label and observe all federal, state, and local regulations.

KATHON™ CG preservative-containing wastes must not be discharged into public

waters or sewage treatment systems. Such wastes must be deactivated (see below) and
adequately diluted before discharge into any public water or sewage treatment facility. When
considering disposal of any waste, observe all federal, state, and local regulations.

Deactivation Deactivation – General

The active ingredients of KATHON CG preservative are readily deactivated or degraded to
non-toxic components by the addition of a solution of 5% sodium hypochlorite (household
bleach) and 5% sodium bicarbonate.

Deactivation is typically accomplished by adding household bleach to the 3 quart (3 liters) fill
mark on a 1 gallon (4 liters) plastic container containing 1/3 of a lb. (150 grams) of sodium
bicarbonate. Close the container securely and shake well for 1 minute.

Estimate the volume of remaining spilled material. Apply 10 times the volume of deactivation
solution per volume of spilled material remaining. The deactivation solution should remain
in contact with KATHON CG for at least 30 minutes. The actual deactivation reaction takes
place in much less time, but the added time ensures that the reaction goes to completion.
Aqueous waste properly treated with deactivation solution can be discharged to the
chemical sewer, if in accordance with federal, state, and local procedures, permits, and
regulations.

The deactivation solution should be prepared fresh as needed since it gradually loses its
effectiveness. Personnel making up or handling deactivation solutions should wear goggles
or face shield, rubber apron and full-length butyl rubber or nitrile gloves, and a half face-
piece respirator with organic vapor/acid gas cartridge and dust/mist prefilter (e.g., N-95 or
higher efficiency, in the presence of oil mist, use R-95, P-95, or higher efficiency).

Deactivation – Preparation of Equipment for Maintenance

Mixing vessels, lines and pumps and other equipment containing residues of KATHON
CG preservative must be deactivated before carrying out maintenance or repair work or
using for other service. Drips, spills and exposed wet areas and valves should be cleaned
up promptly with deactivation solution. To deactivate the surfaces of equipment, swab with
deactivation solution, wait 30 minutes for the reaction to subside and rinse thoroughly with
clean water. Rinse tools, pails, funnels and lines with water. To determine the amount of
deactivation solution needed for cleanup, estimate the volume of KATHON CG preservative
solution remaining in a well-drained system of vessels, lines and pumps, and make up and
charge 10 volumes of deactivation solution per volume of preservative solution, then add
more water to provide thorough mixing and contact throughout the equipment. Circulate
the mixture through the system, allowing a reaction period of about 30 minutes, then drain
and rinse with clean water or detergent solution. Drain to a municipal or chemical sewer if in
accordance with federal, state, and local regulations.

Page 7 of 9 ® ™ Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow Form No. 253-02698-11/15/11 PS
 Deactivation – Cleanup of Spills
Personnel cleaning up spills should wear appropriate protective clothing. This should include
a rubber apron or impervious jacket, impervious full-length butyl rubber or nitrile gloves,
footwear, chemical splash goggles and a half facepiece respirator with organic vapor/acid
gas cartridge and dust/mist prefilter.

Spilled material should be diked and absorbed on a spill control pillow or onto an inert solid
such as clay or vermiculite. Shovel the absorbent and the soil beneath it to a depth sufficient
to remove all preservative into a pail or drum. This material should then be disposed of in
accordance with federal, state and local regulations; our recommended method of disposal
is incineration.

Any residual KATHON™ CG preservative remaining on the spill site should then be treated
with deactivation solution. A weight ratio of ten parts deactivation solution to one part
KATHON CG should be used for this treatment. After allowing 30 minutes contact time, rinse
the area with copious amounts of water and flush to the sewer, if in accordance with federal,
state, and local regulations.

Note: Do not add deactivation solution to the waste pail.

Product Dow has a fundamental concern for all who make, distribute, and use its products, and for
Stewardship the environment in which we live. This concern is the basis for our product stewardship
philosophy by which we assess the safety, health, and environmental information on
our products and then take appropriate steps to protect employee and public health and
our environment. The success of our product stewardship program rests with each and
every individual involved with Dow products – from the initial concept and research, to
manufacture, use, sale, disposal, and recycle of each product.

Page 8 of 9 ® ™ Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow Form No. 253-02698-11/15/11 PS
For further information visit our website:
www.dowmicrobialcontrol.com
or call:

Central and Eastern Europe:

Turkey +90-216-571-16-00
Russia +7-495-663-78-20
Poland +48-22-543-18-00
Western Europe:
+800-3-694-6367 (toll-free)
+31-115-67-26-26 (phone)
+31-115-67-28-28 (fax)
North America:
+1-800-447-4369 (toll-free)
+1-989-832-1560 (phone)
+1-989-832-1465 (fax)
Middle East and Africa:
UAE +971-4-332-88-66
South Africa +800-99-5078 (toll-free)
Greater China:
Shanghai +86-21-3851-1000
Beijing +86-10-8527-9199
Guangzhou +86-20-3813-0600
Taiwan +886-227-718-000
Southeast Asia:
Philippines +63-2-867-3293
Indonesia +62-21-2995-6273
Singapore +65-6830-4575
+65-6796-6217
Thailand +66-2365-7371
Vietnam +84-8-3822-5808 Notice: No freedom from any patent owned by Dow or others is to be inferred. Because use conditions and applicable laws
Malaysia +603-7965-5200 may differ from one location to another and may change with time, Customer is responsible for determining whether products
Australia and New Zealand: and the information in this document are appropriate for Customer’s use and for ensuring that Customer’s workplace and
+613-9226-3500 (phone) disposal practices are in compliance with applicable laws and other government enactments. The product shown in this
+61-3-9226-3562 (fax) literature may not be available for sale and/or available in all geographies where Dow is represented. The claims made may
Japan and Korea: not have been approved for use in all countries. Dow assumes no obligation or liability for the information in this document.
Japan +81-3-5460-2261 References to “Dow” or the “Company” mean the Dow legal entity selling the products to Customer unless otherwise expressly
Korea +82-2-3490-4348 noted. NO WARRANTIES ARE GIVEN; ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A
Indian Subcontinent: PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE EXPRESSLY EXCLUDED.
+91-22-6793-4953 (phone)
+91-22-6793-4924 (fax) USE BIOCIDES SAFELY. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND PRODUCT INFORMATION BEFORE USE.
Latin America:
+55-11-5188-9555 (phone)
+55-11-5188-9400 (fax)
Other Global Areas:
+1-989-832-1560 (phone)
+1-989-832-1465 (fax)

Page 9 of 9 ® ™ Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow Form No. 253-02698-11/15/11 PS