2014-07-30

LANXESS’ Saltidin® 20% Insect Repellent Spray Formulation Efficacy Time Increased by Canadian Regulatory Authorities

Pittsburgh, PA -

The Pest Management Regulatory Agency of Canada  (PMRA) has approved an amendment to LANXESS Corporation’s registration for a 20% insect repellent spray formulation using the Saltigo-produced active ingredient, Saltidin® Icaridin.  The amendment was submitted to PMRA in January, 2014 with additional data showing Saltidin® is effective at repelling the most prevalent mosquito species found in Canada for up to 12 hours.

The information was reviewed by the PMRA and found to be sufficient to allow the increase in labelled protection time from 7 hours to 12 hours.  The Agency also concluded that use of the All-Family Insect Repellent Spray in accordance with the approved label instructions has value and will not pose unacceptable health or environmental risks.

“Consumers have long enjoyed the benefits made possible by our long-lasting active ingredient, Saltidin®. With this approval from the PMRA, Canadian consumers will now know with confidence that they and their loved ones will be safely protected against potentially disease carrying mosquitoes and other pests,” said Chuck Kreutzberger, PhD, US Business Development Manager for LANXESS Corporation’s Saltigo business unit.

Summer is the perfect time to  raise awareness  of the serious effects of West Nile Virus which is caused by the bite of infected mosquitoes.  According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), this seasonal epidemic in North America flares up in summer and continues into fall.  The CDC states that the easiest way to avoid West Nile Virus is to prevent mosquito bites and it is recommended to  use insect repellents as a first line of defense.  Saltidin® is an effective active ingredient for protection  against mosquitoes including those that carry West Nile Virus. Additionally the product  is not oily, greasy or sticky and it will not damage fishing lines, plastic or other synthetic materials. And it smells great too!

With the ever increasing incidence of Lyme’s Disease, it is important to consider that Saltidin® provides protection against ticks.  The Saltidin® 20% spray formulation is also approved in Canada and the US for 12 hour protection from ticks and 8 to 10 hour protection from black flies. 

Saltidin® insect repellent (also known by the names Icaridin and Picaridin) has been used worldwide since 1998 and has attained widespread popularity as a repellent active ingredient in Europe and Australia. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended Saltidin® as the product of choice for malaria prophylaxis.  Saltidin® insect repellents are currently available throughout the world in various forms including sprays, wipes and sticks, and come in concentrations ranging from 5 to 25 percent.

LANXESS is a leading specialty chemicals company with sales of EUR 8.3 billion in 2013 and roughly 17,000 employees in 31 countries. The company is currently represented at 52 production sites worldwide. The core business of LANXESS is the development, manufacturing and marketing of plastics, rubber, intermediates and specialty chemicals. LANXESS is a member of the leading sustainability indices Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI World and DJSI Europe) and FTSE4Good as well as CDP’s Climate Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI).

Pittsburgh, July, 30, 2014

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by LANXESS AG management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

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