Innovation award winner enjoys real world success

Ayear since Enclean won a top innovation award at Saltex 2021 and commercial usage backs up its performance with positive user feedback.

Enclean is a unique sustainable biocide ideal for de-greening a wide range of surfaces in the Amenity sector. It is a plant originbased biocide from Certis Belchim which is marketed and distributed by Origin Amenity Solutions.

“The successful launch of the product in 2020 has culminated in recent approval for use by Organic Farmers and Growers across all organic systems,” said Peter Corbett, of Origin Amenity Solutions.

Having witnessed the development of Enclean from initial trials

Peter is well placed to discuss the new biocide, now widely heralded as a ‘game-changer’ in the professional biocide market.

Peter, who manages the Chemical Products portfolio for Origin Amenity Solutions, first saw the biocide in its development phase in 2017 and was impressed with both its speed of action in eradicating algae and its positive effect on dealing with other green deposits that built up on hard, porous and wooden surfaces.

“From the outset when trials began on the active Nonanoic acid, from which Enclean is derived, I saw the potential for this unique Biocide. As a company, we recognised that there was a gap in the biocide market for an efficacious, sustainable, and easy-to-use product.”

Most de-greening biocides/surface cleaners are applied in large volumes of both active ingredient i.e. product circa 100 litres plus per Ha combined with circa 1,000 to 2,000 l/ha of water to control algae and green deposits. The active ingredients used in the formulation of most hard surface cleaners are based on chemically synthesised quaternary ammonia-based products.

These actives, despite being used for many years, are not registered under the latest GB biocide products registrations (BPR). Many experts and environmentalists are concerned about this group, due to the quantities being applied, and the danger to the aquatic environment. Water Authorities and the Environment Agency are picking up these actives in surface waters, so it is very possible that the use of these actives will be severely restricted in the future.

Enclean is fundamentally different in that it can be applied at low water volumes. Compared to most traditional biocide products, only a fifth to a tenth of the spray volume needs to be applied. One litre of Enclean mixed with 14 litres of water will treat 555m 2. The product can be applied using any pressure knapsack fitted with the correct nozzles.

“Enclean is plant derived, safe to use, and it has no environmental hazard classification. It is fast acting and, once applied, it quickly degrades into natural elements without leaving harmful residue. Using a red 80-degree nozzle and maintaining the correct speed of application, 555m 2 of coverage is readily achievable; this is especially important for sprayer contractors who need to limit downtime spent on refilling” he said.

The key customer feedback on Enclean that Peter noted is the speed of activity and the wider range of weather conditions that the biocide can be successfully applied in.

“Many traditional biocides cannot be applied in frosty conditions, or within 24 hours of rain. But with Enclean the application window is much wider, and very good results can be achieved even when temperature and weather conditions are far from perfect. The most important factor is correct dilution and application of the product and a few hours for the spray solution to dry.”

Peter Todd, Director, and Estates Manager at Royal Norwich Golf Club, explained that during the

2020/21 lockdown the clubhouse patio became covered with algae.

“Due predominantly to lack of footfall, our high-quality stone slabs had become discoloured and dangerously slippery when wet. We sprayed with Enclean and over the next two to three days the algae had been controlled and the wet surface was no longer slippery, thus removing a real hazard.

“Enclean removed the algae completely giving us lasting control, with no detrimental effect on the stone. The treated area remained clean and the surface regained its original colour, despite the cold and wet conditions in February/March being less than ideal for biocide application. We also applied the product at the front of the building where the porous surface had a mixture of algae and moss. Again, the control was rapid despite the wet and cold weather conditions. Using a shroud on the knapsack boom allowed us to spray neatly and obtain a sharp edge alongside the fine grass,” said Peter

Royal Norwich is now a regular user of this product. They also use Enclean to keep signage and course equipment in shaded areas free from green growth. This includes the turf centre, which is shaded and prone to algae infestation which can make the building look unkempt.