Antimicrobial effect of cycloaliphatic diol antimicrobial agents in coating compositions

A cycloaliphatic diol antimicrobial agent selected from the group consisting of 1,1-cyclohexanedimethanol, 1,2-cyclohexanedimethanol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, and 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol was found to provide antimicrobial activity in coating compositions and latexes, and was found to enhance the effectiveness of other antimicrobial agents commonly used in coatings and dispersions. Alone or as part of a preservative system, this cycloaliphatic diol antimicrobial agent in water can provide an easy-to-handle liquid that allows coatings producers to achieve improved microbial control, or achieve equivalent control while using less antimicrobial agents in their formulations. Consequently, the shelf life of the products can be maintained while reducing the use of the traditional preservative, or the shelf-life can be enhanced with addition of this cycloaliphatic diol antimicrobial agent to an existing antimicrobial system.