Role of co-formulants in chemicals

 Absorbent

 -

A substance or mixture used to retain other substances by assimilation.

 Biocides- REACH

 Ablative

 -

Substance applied to a substrate to protect it from heat by the dissipation of heat by erosion, melting or vaporization of the material.

REACH

 Abrasive

 -

An abrasive is a substance used to abrade, smooth or varnish an object. Abrasives are used to remove defects from a surface; used to smooth, scrub, wash, clean, wear or varnish surfaces by rubbing them; These are usually fine powders of hard substances. Examples: sandstone, pumice, quartz, silicates, aluminas and glass.

REACH

 Adhesive

Fixative

Glue
Adhesion promoters

An adhesive is a substance or mixture, which is applied to a substrate to improve the adhesion of a product to the substrate. The adhesion is created by the formation of strong bonds (including both covalent and non-covalent bonds) between the adhesive and the surfaces of the products to be bound. In addition, some adhesives in a first step chemically react to generate the adhesion properties.

Biocides

Adhesion promoters

-

Any inorganic or organic substance, natural or synthetic, used to join two opposing surfaces together, to promote bonding between other substances, to promote adhesion of surfaces or to bind other materials together. They are usually applied from a solvent in solution and allowed to dry on both affixed surfaces.

REACH

Aeration and deaeration agents

 -

Substance that influences the amount of air or gas contained in a material

REACH

Anti adhesive

 -

Substances which are added to alloys of metals such as steel to modify properties such as strength, hardness or to make them easier to process.

REACH

Adsorbent  

-

 

A substance or mixture used to retain other substances by accumulation on their surface; substances or mixtures with a large surface area, which can attract dissolved or finely dispersed substances from another medium.

 Biocides- REACH

Anti-foaming agent

Anti-foamer

De-foamer
Foam regulator
Foam inhibitor

An anti-foaming agent is a substance or mixture, which is used to prevent or reduce foam formation. It reduces the surface tension of the liquid to the extent that the foam bubbles collapse and thereby destroy the formed foam.

Biocides- REACH

Anti-caking agent

Anti-clumping agent

Free-flow agent

A substance or mixture that prevents granular or particulate materials from sticking or caking during transfer, storage or use.

Biocides- REACH

Anti-condensation agent

 -

Substance or material used to prevent condensation on surfaces and in the atmosphere.

REACH

Anti-freeze agent

Lowering freezing point

 A substance or mixture added to a product to lower its freezing point and/or increase stability at low temperatures.

Biocides - REACH

Anti-oxidant

Anti-oxidising agent Reducing agent

 

An anti-oxidant is a substance or mixture capable of slowing down or preventing the unwanted modification of other molecules (substances) caused by oxidation. Anti-oxidants inhibit oxidation reactions by being oxidized themselves or by removing free radicals.

Biocides- REACH

Anti-deposition agents

 -

Any substance that prevents dirt and grease from reinstalling on a cleaned surface or helps prevent dirt from re-settling on clothing in the wash water after removal. Antiredeposition agents are soluble in water and generally have a negative charge.

REACH

Anti-scaling agent

Descaling agent Calcium carbonate-Inhibitor

Water softener
Anti-lime scale agent

Substance or mixture added to products to prevent inorganic oxide deposits. The formation of scale can be caused by the deposition of salts or minerals. Substance or mixture prevent the build-up or removes lime scale and fouling.

Biocides- REACH

Anti-coloring agent

-

An anti-staining agent is a substance that prevents staining and provides soil resistance to cleaners and soft surface protectors.

REACH

Anti-skinning agent

Inhibiteur pour prévenir l’incrustation

An anti-skinning agent prevents the formation of skin, which is formed due to oxidation and polymerization of other substances in the product at the air interface.

 

Biocides

Anti-static agent

 -

An anti-static agent reduces static electricity by neutralising electrical charge on a surface.

Biocides- REACH

Anti-fingerprint agent

 -

Substance used to enhance evaporation or decrease film formation to prevent the formation of marks on a surface during cleaning.

REACH

Bait base

Bait

Sweetener Feeding stimulant Flavour enhancer Flavouring agent Food attractant

Food bait

Food ingredient Foraging component Nutrient 

Sapidity agent Texture modifier Palatable agent Foraging agent

A bait base is a substance or mixture used to allure the target organism(s). The bait base makes the biocidal product palatable so that the pest (target organism) eats it, thereby ingesting the active substance. The bait base does not have a biocidal function itself unless specifically identified as such by the applicant. It can be a food bait, which is intended to be eaten or a feeding stimulant, which promotes the biocidal product to be eaten.

Biocides 

Barrier (sealant)

 -

Material intended only to fill a space, prevent the infiltration of moisture or air and the passage of liquids or gases. These spaces can be joints, spaces or cavities between two substrates.

REACH

Binder

Binding

Binding agent Binding aid Agglomerating agent

Dry binder

Paint binder
Cross-linking agent

A binder is a substance or mixture used to bind different components together or to fix particles on a surface and thereby adding strength to a material.

Biocides- REACH

Bleaching agent

 -

A bleach is a material that lightens or bleaches a substrate by chemical reaction. These bleaching reactions generally involve oxidizing or reducing processes which degrade the color systems. Bleaching and discoloration can occur by the destruction of one or more double bonds of the conjugate chain, by one bond to the conjugated chain or by oxidation of one of the other groups of the conjugated chain.

REACH

Brilliant

-

A substance used to lighten, whiten, or improve the color appearance of a textile or paper, typically by absorbing light from the ultraviolet and violet (340-370 nm) region of the electromagnetic spectrum and re-emitting light into the blue region (420-470 nm). This causes a "whitening" effect by increasing the total amount of reflected blue light. Optically colorless to the substrate and is not absorbed in the visible part of the spectrum.

REACH

Catalyst

 -

Substances that increase the efficiency of a chemical reaction (eg, the chemical reaction requires less energy). The catalysts participate in the reaction but are not consumed during the process.

REACH

Chain transfer agent

 -

A substance that stops the growth of a molecular chain and forms a new radical which can act as the initiator of a new chain.

REACH

Chelating agent

 -

Substance which can form a complex with inactive metal ions. It is used to remove ions from solutions and soils forming a type of coordination complex to prevent normal precipitation reactions of ions; material that cleans oxide films from metals by stabilizing metal ions by forming heterocyclic ring complexes around each ion. They contain two or more electron donor atoms that can form coordination bonds with a single metal atom. After the first coordinating bond is formed, each donor atom that binds creates a ring containing the metal atom; this cyclic structure is called a chelating or chelate complex.

REACH

Cleaning agent

 -

Substance or material used to remove dirt or surface defects; works by loosening and removing dirt and grease from surfaces.

REACH

Cloud point depressant

 -

A substance that depresses the temperature at which solids begin to separate from a liquid, to a temperature below that which would normally be allowed.

REACH

Burning agent

Fuel

A substance or mixture that facilitates the combustion of the biocidal product to release the active substance.

Biocides

Carrier

Support
Charge
Excipient

A carrier is a (chemically inert) substance or mixture used to allow or facilitate the transport, deliver handling and use of the active substance or biocidal product.

Biocides

Coagulants and flocculants

 -

A coagulant is a chemical substance or mixture used to facilitate the molecular aggregation of substances present in a solution into particles. A flocculant is a chemical substance used to promote the aggregation of suspended particles present in a liquid into a macroscopic mass called floc.

Biocides

Coalescing agent

 -

Substance or mixture that decreases the minimum film-forming temperature (MFT) and, upon evaporation, yield a hard film.

Biocides- REACH

Coating agent 

Water-repellent agent Repel agent Release agent

A coating agent generates a protective layer on a solid substrate.

Biocides

Colouring agent

Colorant

Dye

Colour

Matting agent Optical brightener Pigment

A colouring agent is used for inducing a change of colour in a product. Examples of colouring agents are dyes or pigments.

Biocides- REACH

Complexing agent

Chelating agents Sequestrant Chelator Sequestering agent

The complexing agents form a complex with unwanted compounds, e.g. metal-ions, of the biocidal product. The formation of the complex can contribute to the e.g. stabilisation of the active substance.

Biocides

Conductive agent

 -

Materials used to conduct electric current.

REACH

Compatibilizing

 -

Allows a reaction between two or more dissimilar polymers, allowing a more intimate mixing than before.

REACH

Corrosion inhibitor

Corrosion agent

A corrosion inhibitor is a substance or mixture that stops or slows down corrosion of metals and alloys. It can be distinguished between anodic and cathodic inhibitors depending on which reaction should be inhibited.

Biocides- REACH

Desiccant

Dewatering agent Drier Siccative

A desiccant is a hygroscopic substance or mixture that functions as a drying agent, i.e. it withdraws moisture from other materials. It can retain water through capillarity or adsorption or by reacting chemically. Desiccants are used to dry solvents, gases and solids and lose their function as their water retention increases. Silica gel and molecular sieves are examples of commonly used desiccants.

Biocides

Crystal growth modifiers (nucleating agents)

 -

Substance used to decrease or increase crystal growth.

REACH

Deflocculant

 -

Substance used to thin concentrated grouts in order to reduce their volume viscosity or their viscosity during processing or handling.

REACH

Demulsifier

-

Substance used in the destruction of an emulsion or in the prevention of its formation.

REACH

Density modifier

 -

Substance that changes the density of a material. 

REACH

Deterrent

Bittering agent Acerbic substance Aversive agent Denaturant Embittering agent Human aversive agent Taste aversive agent

A deterrent is a substance or mixture that renders biocidal product unpalatable to non-target organisms, in general and particular to humans.

Biocides

Dispersant

Dispersing aid Dispersive agent

A dispersant is a substance or mixture that can promote the formation of a dispersion or stabilize the dispersion. The term dispersion is applied to a system of several phases in which one is continuous and at least one other is finely distributed. If two or more phases that are insoluble or only slightly soluble are finely distributed in one another, the term disperse system or, more simply, dispersion is used.

Biocides 

Emetic agent

 -

A substance or mixture added to a product that induces vomiting when the biocidal product is swallowed by non-targeted organisms, in general, and particularly by humans.

Biocides

Emollient

Moisturiser Moisturisation Skin care

Skin conditioner Skin protection Smoothing agent

An emollient increases the water content of the skin and helps keep it soft and smooth.

Biocides

Emulsifier

 -

An emulsifier is a substance or mixture, which makes it possible to form or maintain a homogenous mixture of two or more immiscible phases such as oil and water.

Biocides

Encapsulating agent

- 

An encapsulating agent is a substance or mixture that encloses the active substance and/or co-formulants in capsules formulated in the biocidal product.

Biocides

Filler

Filler, inert

Inert bulk material Lightweight Filler

A filler is an inert solid material used as a diluent.

Biocides- REACH

Film forming agent

Film forming polymer

Any substance or mixture that aids formation of a thin continuous layer on a substrate. This layer acts as a barrier between the environment and the substrate.

Biocides- REACH

Flame retardant

Fire retardant

A flame retardant is a substance or mixture that prevents the ignition of material or slows down the spreading of fire by physical and chemical measures.

Biocides

Foaming agent

 -

A substance or mixture, which makes it possible to form a homogenous dispersion of a gaseous phase in a liquid product.

Biocides- REACH

Gassing agent

 -

A substance or mixture that produces directly or initiates the formation of gas.

Biocides

Humectant

 -

Humectant is a substance or mixture that is used to retard moisture loss from the product during use. This function is generally performed by hygroscopic materials. The effectiveness of humectants depends largely on the ambient relative humidity.

Biocides- REACH

Lubricant

 -

A lubricant provides a protective thin film, which allows two surfaces to be separated while performing certain functionality by reducing the friction between them, improving efficiency and reducing wear.

Biocides- REACH

Odorant

Perfume

Fragrance Deodorant

Essential oil

Scent

An odorant is a substance or mixture used to introduce or control odours.

Biocides- REACH

Deodorant

- 

Substance which reduces or eliminates unpleasant odors and prevents the formation of bad odors on body surfaces. Neutralization occurs when two odorous substances are mixed in a given ratio and the resulting odor of the mixture is less intense than that of the individual components.

REACH

Diluent

 -

Substance that is primarily used to reduce the concentration of other ingredients in a formulation; volatile liquid that is added to change consistency or other properties. The term is most often used for liquid formulations, the term mastic being used for solid formulations or in powder form.

REACH

Deflocculant

 -

Substance used to thin concentrated grouts in order to reduce their volume viscosity or their viscosity during processing or handling.

REACH 

Demulsifier

 -

Substance used in the destruction of an emulsion or in the prevention of its formation.

REACH

Opacifier

 -

Substance or mixture that renders solutions opaque; reduces transparency or the ability of light to pass through solution; added to the biocidal product to reduce their clear or transparent appearance.

Biocides- REACH

Packaging gases

 -

Gases other than air, introduced into a container before, during or after the placing of the biocidal product in that container.

Biocides

Penetrating agent

 -

A substance or mixture that facilitates the penetration of the active substance into/onto the material to be treated.

Biocides

Dispersing agent

-

Substance added to a suspending medium or suspension to improve particle separation; to ensure correct dispersion; prevent settling or clumping; to encourage uniform and maximum separation of individual and extremely fine liquid particles or droplets, often colloidal in size. A typical use is the dispersion of dyes to ensure uniform coloring.

REACH

pH Regulator

Acidity regulators pH Adjuster

pH Modifier

pH Neutralisers Buffer

Buffering agent

pH Stabiliser

pH Buffer

Neutralising agent

A pH regulator is a substance or mixture used to adjust or keep the pH-value of a biocidal product, generally an aqueous solution, to the favoured pH-level or within a specified range. The regulating mechanism is based on acido-basic reaction between the pH regulator and the liquid to be treated.

Biocides- REACH

Phlegmatising agent

 Reactivity reducer

A phlegmatising agent is a substance or mixture that stabilizes or desensitizes the reactivity of a substance or biocidal product with regard to explosive properties.

Biocides

Plasticiser

 -

A plasticiser is a substance or mixture that increases flexibility, workability and elasticity of materials used in the biocidal product.

Biocides- REACH

Elasticizer

-

Substance that increases the elasticity of a material.

REACH

Embalming agent

-

Substance used in the preservation of biological tissues.

REACH

Energy liberators (explosives, mobile propellant)

-

Substance characterized by its chemical stability, but capable of being caused to undergo rapid chemical change without an external source of oxygen, rapidly producing a significant amount of energy and gas accompanied by a large increase in volume and explosion, rupture or expansion.

REACH

Stripping product

-

A stripper is a substance that removes unprotected areas of metal or glass surfaces. Pickling products are generally acids or bases.

REACH

Explosion inhibitor

-

Substance used in reducing the explosion potential of combustible materials.

REACH

Fertilizers (soil amendments)

-

Chemical substance used to increase the productivity and quality of agricultural crops, including plants, animals and forestry; added to the soil to provide the chemical elements necessary for plant nutrition.

REACH

Precipitation inhibitor

 -

A precipitation inhibitor is a substance or mixture that prevents unwanted formation of solids in solution.

Biocides 

Preservatives

Food preservative

A preservative is a substance or mixture, which protects against deterioration caused by microorganisms that could affect the product quality and performance.

Biocides

Photochemical reagent

-

Chemical substance used for its ability to alter its physical or chemical structure by absorption of light, resulting in the emission of light, dissociation, discoloration or other chemical reaction; used to create a permanent photographic image.

REACH

Pigment

-

Any substance, usually in the form of a dry powder, which colors another substance or mixture by binding to the surface of the substrate by bonding or adhesion; can contribute to opacity, durability and resistance to corrosives. Must have a positive coloring value; larger than the size of the molecular particles and maintained by a corresponding low mobility; diffuses and absorbs light. Pigments differ from dyes in that they are insoluble in the vehicle and exist as compounds dispersed in the paint rather than as a solute.

REACH

Propellant

Gas propellant

 A propellant is a gas other than air, which expels a biocidal product from a container.

Biocides

Protein remover

 -

A protein remover is a substance or mixture (e.g. enzymes), which intends to remove proteins during use of the biocidal product, e.g. in laundry treatment.

Biocides

Siccativating product

 -

These substances which speed up the drying of paints, inks, etc., are often organometallic compounds.

REACH

Sustainability enhancer

 -

Durability enhancers are ingredients added to increase the durability and therefore the functional life of the material.

REACH

Dusting

 -

Substance used in the control of finely granulated solid particles in order to reduce their evacuation into the air.

REACH

Dust collector

 -

A substance that is dusted onto the surface of a material (eg rubber) to reduce surface adhesion.

REACH

Re-fatting agent

Re-greasing agent

A re-fatting agent replenishes the lipids of the top layers of the skin.

Biocides

Rheological additive

Flow agent

Flow modifier

Flow regulator

Fluidising aid Hydrophilic rheology modifier

Rheology modifier

A rheological additive is a substance or mixture that is used to control the flow of liquids.

Biocides

Finishing agent

 -

Chemicals used to provide functions such as softening, static electricity control, wrinkle resistance and water repellency. The substances can be applied to textiles, paper and leather.

REACH

Extinguishing agent

 -

Any agent incorporated or applied in order to slow down an already started combustion; removes heat faster than it is released; separates fuel and oxidizer, dilutes the vapor phase concentration of fuel and oxidizer below what is required for combustion to take place.

REACH

Fixing agent (biting)

 -

Substance used to interact with a dye on fibers to improve its strength.

REACH

Plating agent

-

Substances / materials used as a source to form a metallic layer on another surface or which contribute to such deposition. They are used in processes such as electroplating, galvanizing or coating.

REACH

Pressure transfer agent

-

Lubricating oil and grease additive that prevents metal-to-metal contact at high temperatures or under heavy loads in severe sliding conditions. Works by reacting with slippery metal surfaces to form oil insoluble surface films.

REACH

Process controller

- 

A chemical substance used to alter the rate of a chemical reaction, to start or stop the reaction, or to influence the course of the reaction in any other way. Can be consumed or part of the reaction product.

REACH 

Flame retardant

 -

Fireproofing is a process by which the normal degradation or combustion process of polymers has been altered by the addition of certain chemicals. These are substances used on or incorporated into the surface of combustible materials to reduce or eliminate their tendency to ignite when exposed to heat or flame for a short time; used to increase the flash point; used to slow down or prevent combustion.

REACH

Flocculation agent

-

A flocculating agent is a product or chemical substance that facilitates the flocculation of suspended solids in a liquid. Flocculating agents are chemical additives, which, at relatively low levels relative to the weight of the solid phase, increase the degree of flocculation of a suspension. They work at the molecular level on the surface of particles to reduce the forces of repulsion and increase the forces of attraction. The main use of flocculating agents is to aid in solid-liquid separation.

REACH

Flotation agent

-

Substance used to concentrate and obtain minerals from ores.

REACH

Flow promoter

-

REACH

Processing aid

-

REACH

Propellants, non-mobile (blowing agents)

-

REACH

Reactive cleaning / removal agent

-

REACH

Reducing agent

-

REACH

Refrigerants

-

REACH

Resins (prepolymers)

-

Usually high molecular weight polymers which lower viscosity. Thermoplastic resins soften when exposed to heat and revert to their original shape at room temperature, while thermosetting resins solidify irreversibly when heated due to crosslinking.

REACH

Semiconductors and photovoltaic agents

-

REACH

Sizing product

-

REACH

Fluxing agent

-

REACH

Food flavor and nutritious

-

REACH

Freezing-thawing additive

-

REACH

Friction agent

-

Materials used to increase the friction between two objects.

REACH

Fuel

-

Chemical substance used to create mechanical or thermal energy through chemical reactions; used to obtain energy in a controlled combustion reaction.

REACH

Fuel additive

-

Substances added to a fuel in order to control the rate of the reaction or to limit the production of unwanted combustion products; provide other benefits, such as corrosion inhibition, lubrication or detergency.

REACH

Oxidizer

-

REACH

Gelation modification

-

Substance that influences the formation or destruction of a gel.

REACH

Hardener

-

Increases the strength, hardness and abrasion resistance of coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers and other products

REACH

Softening

-

Substance used to soften materials to improve their feel, to facilitate the finishing process, or to give them flexibility or workability; used in textile finishing to provide a superior “feel” to the textile and facilitate mechanical processing; helps bring softness and suppleness to washable textile fabrics.

REACH

Solid separating agent (precipitant)

-

Chemicals used to promote the separation of suspended solids from a liquid.

REACH

Solubility enhancer

-

REACH

Surface modifier

-

A substance that can be added to other ingredients to adjust the optical properties associated with the surface of a material. These substances are designed to modify luster, increase gloss and alter the reflectance exhibited by a surface.

REACH

Blowing agent

-

Substance added to a material to increase its volume and soften it.

REACH

Sticky agent

-

Provides viscosity

REACH

Tanning agent

-

Substance used in the treatment of hides and skins.

REACH

Thermal stabilizer

-

A substance that protects polymers from the degrading chemical effects of heat or UV irradiation.

REACH

Heat transfer agent

-

REACH

Hydraulic fluids (functional)

 -

Liquid or gaseous chemicals used to transmit pressure and EP additives. Energy transfer in hydraulic machines.

REACH

Impregnation agent

 -

Substance used for mixing with solid materials which retain their original shape.

REACH

Glowing agent

 -

REACH

Insulators

- 

REACH

Intermediate (precursor)

- 

REACH

Ion exchange agent

 -

REACH

Leaching agent

 -

REACH

Solubilising agent

Solubiliser Solubilisation
Co-solvent

A solubilising agent is a substance or mixture that facilitates the dissolution of a substance in a solvent.

Biocides

 Solvant

Base oil

Diluent

A solvent is a substance or mixture, which is used to dissolve a solid, liquid or gaseous substance (solute), forming a solution.

Biocides- REACH

Stabiliser

 Stabilising agent Stabilising

A stabiliser is a substance or mixture which, when added, prevents unwanted physical or chemical changes of other substance(s) and preserve its/their stability. While the stabiliser may react with other molecules in a product, it never reacts with the active substance or is used in the reaction of the generation of an active substance. Substances or substance-systems, which generate/release the active substance in a biocidal product for keeping the concentration stable, are not regarded as stabilisers.
Note: In cases where specific stabilising functions are known, e.g. anti-oxidant or UV-stabiliser, the specific term should be used.

Biocides- REACH

 Surfactants

 Cleaning agent Detergent Wetting agent Solubilisation Non-ionic surfactant Tenside Anionic surfactant Cationic surfactant Amphoteric surfactant

A surfactant is a substance or mixture that reduces the surface tension of biocidal products and may aid the distribution of the product when used. Surfactants also keep removed material in solution or suspension.

Biocides- REACH

 Suspending agent

 -

A suspending agent is a substance or mixture that facilitates the generation or stabilisation of a heterogeneous mixture of a liquid and (a) solid(s) that is/are finely dispersed in that liquid.

Biocides

 Synergist

 Booster

Enhancer

A synergist is a substance or mixture that enhances the effect of the active substance in a biocidal product.

Biocides

Viscosity modifier

Film thickener Gelling agent

Viscosity controlling Thickener

A viscosity modifier is a substance or mixture applied to a biocidal product to control the flow of a liquid by changing its viscosity.

Biocides- REACH

UV Stabiliser

Light stabiliser

UV absorber

UV filter

UV protection Resistance to ultraviolet light

An UV stabiliser is a substance or mixture that protects the biocidal product from the (unfavourable) effects of UV light.

Biocides- REACH

Luminescent agent

 -

REACH

Magnetic element

 -

REACH

Monomers

 -

A substance which generally contains carbon and which has a low molecular weight and a simple structure; can be converted to polymers, synthetic resins or elastomers by repeated combination with the same substance or other similar molecules.

REACH

No technical function

 -

REACH

Temrinator / inhibitor

 -

REACH

Thickener / thickening agent

 -

REACH

Tracer

 -

Substance which possesses an easily detectable radioactive / isotopic label or chemical group added to the biological / environmental medium or chemical reactions which elucidate the transformation / transportation processes taking place.

REACH

Vapor pressure modifiers

 -

REACH

 Vehicle (transporter)

 -

The vehicle dissolves or disperses the solid components of a substance, allowing uniform dispersion throughout application. The vehicle transports the other particles in the substance.

REACH

Waterproofing agent

 -

A waterproofing material works by lowering surface energy to protect surfaces from water by causing it to bead.

REACH 

X-ray absorber

 -

Substance used to block or attenuate X-rays.

REACH