MANCHESTER, England--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Arch Chemicals, Inc. announced today that research has demonstrated that its Vantocil™ FHC antimicrobial product, which has long been used in hygiene applications in Europe and other global regions, is also highly effective in controlling the causative agent of swine flu, Swine Influenza A (H1N1) virus.

Research work performed by ATS Labs, Eagan, Minnesota, USA, showed Vantocil™ FHC antimicrobial was effective within 10 minutes in controlling the Swine Influenza A (H1N1) virus. Vantocil FHC is a non-staining, disinfectant detergent concentrate for the cleaning and disinfecting of all hard surfaces as part of a regular cleaning and infection control program. It can be used in a wide range of environments, including hospitals, domestic settings and food processing.

Vantocil™ FHC is based on the active ingredient poly (hexamethylene biguanide) hydrochloride (PHMB) in combination with a quaternary ammonium compound (alkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride). The PHMB antimicrobial from Arch Biocides has a proven track record over many years of providing both broad spectrum bactericidal and virucidal activity in a diverse range of hygiene products marketed in many parts of the world.

Subject to national regulations, Arch’s biocides are typically marketed to the industrial and institutional hygiene industry, the food and beverage industry and are also used in household, pet care, lavatory care, laundry care and health care products. For more information, please visit www.archbiocides.com.

Arch Biocides is a business unit of Arch Chemicals, Inc. Headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut (USA), Arch Chemicals, Inc. is a global biocides company with approximately $1.5 billion in annual sales. Arch and its subsidiaries provide innovative, chemistry-based solutions to control the growth of harmful microbes. The Company’s concentration is in water treatment, hair and skin care products, treated wood, preservation and protection applications such as for paints and building products, and health and hygiene applications. Arch Chemicals operates in two segments: Treatment Products and Performance Products. Together with its subsidiaries, Arch has approximately 3,000 employees worldwide and manufacturing and customer-support facilities in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. For more information, visit www.archchemicals.com.

Some Arch biocides may not be registered in certain countries or may be registered for only certain uses.

SAFE HANDLING INFORMATION: Use biocides safely. Always read the label and product information before use. Refer to the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) available from Arch Chemicals, Inc. for information on the safe use, handling and disposal of this product.