KATHON™ CG/ICP from LANXESS is an EPA-registered, broad-spectrum microbicide that protects a wide range of cleaning and detergent formulations from microbial spoilage. It’s based on isothiazolinone chemistry (CMIT/MIT) and provides complete protection against bacteria, fungi, mold, and yeast at very low dosage rates. A single preservative system handles the full spectrum of organisms, which simplifies formulation and reduces ingredient costs.

KATHON™ preservatives carry over 30 years of proven performance, originally developed by Dow, then manufactured by DuPont, and now produced by LANXESS.

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What Cleaning Products Use KATHON™ CG/ICP?

KATHON™ CG/ICP is registered for use across a broad range of household and institutional cleaning applications. The isothiazolinone active offers excellent compatibility with surfactants and emulsifiers over a wide pH range, which makes it suitable for nearly any water-based cleaning formulation.

Laundry Products

Liquid laundry detergents, fabric softeners, pre-spotters, and spray starch all contain water and organic ingredients that support microbial growth. KATHON™ CG/ICP preserves these products at dosage rates low enough to avoid any impact on cleaning performance, fragrance, or fabric feel.

Dishwashing Detergents

Hand dishwashing liquids sit in warm, wet environments and get exposed to food residues during use. KATHON™ CG/ICP provides persistent microbial protection throughout the product’s shelf life without affecting the surfactant system or foaming performance.

All-Purpose and Hard Surface Cleaners

All-purpose cleaners, kitchen and bathroom cleaners, and general-purpose liquid cleaning solutions all benefit from KATHON™ CG/ICP’s broad-spectrum protection. Its compatibility with anionic, nonionic, and cationic surfactant systems gives formulators flexibility across product types.

Floor Care and Polish Products

Floor waxes, furniture polishes, and automotive washes and waxes contain emulsions and water phases that are susceptible to microbial spoilage. KATHON™ CG/ICP protects these formulations without affecting gloss, leveling, or film formation.

Air Fresheners and Specialty Products

Gel air fresheners, moist towelettes, pre-moistened sponges, and cleaning wipes all require in-can preservation to prevent bacterial and fungal growth during storage and use. KATHON™ CG/ICP handles these applications at the same low dosage rates used in liquid cleaners.

Raw Materials and Surfactant Preservation

Surfactants and emulsifiers used as raw materials in cleaning product manufacturing also need preservation during storage. KATHON™ CG/ICP protects these ingredients before they’re incorporated into finished products.

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How Does KATHON™ CG/ICP Preserve Cleaning Products?

KATHON™ CG/ICP works through its two isothiazolinone active ingredients: methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT) and methylisothiazolinone (MIT), supplied in a 3:1 ratio. These compounds target the sulfur-containing proteins in microbial cell walls. The active sulfur moiety in the isothiazolinone ring oxidizes thiol residues in the microorganism, which disrupts essential enzyme function and kills the cell. This mechanism is irreversible, meaning the organism cannot recover or develop resistance through the typical adaptive pathways.

That broad-spectrum mechanism is what makes KATHON™ CG/ICP effective against gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria (including Pseudomonas), yeasts, molds, and fungi with a single preservative addition. Many competitive preservative systems require two or more active ingredients to cover the same range of organisms.

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KATHON™ CG/ICP vs. KATHON™ CG/ICP II: What’s the Difference?

KATHON™ CG/ICP and KATHON™ CG/ICP II contain the same active ingredients at the same concentration (1.50% total CMIT/MIT). The difference is in the inert ingredients. KATHON™ CG/ICP contains 23% magnesium salts as a stabilizer, while KATHON™ CG/ICP II contains only 2.8% magnesium salts and adds 0.15% cupric nitrate for stabilization instead.

That distinction matters for salt-sensitive formulations. Some cleaning products, particularly clear liquid detergents and formulations where cloudiness or phase separation is a concern, perform better with the lower-salt KATHON™ CG/ICP II variant. For most standard cleaning formulations, either product works.

KATHON™ CG/ICP and KATHON™ CG/ICP II Composition

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Why Choose KATHON™ CG/ICP Over Other Preservatives?

Formulators have several preservative chemistries to choose from, including formaldehyde donors, bronopol, benzisothiazolinone (BIT), glutaraldehyde, and quats. KATHON™ CG/ICP stands out for cleaning applications for a specific combination of reasons.

Broad-spectrum protection from a single active system. KATHON™ CG/ICP kills bacteria, fungi, mold, and yeast. Many other preservatives need to be combined with a second active to cover the full spectrum. Bronopol, for example, is strong against bacteria but weak against fungi, so it’s typically paired with CMIT. KATHON™ CG/ICP handles both on its own.

Very low dosage rate. KATHON™ CG/ICP is effective at 0.05–0.15% (500–1,500 ppm as supplied), which translates to just 6–22.5 ppm of active isothiazolinones in the finished product. That low use level keeps costs down, minimizes performance impact on the formulation, and reduces inventory burden.

Formaldehyde-free. Consumer and regulatory pressure has pushed many formulators away from formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. KATHON™ CG/ICP contains no formaldehyde and does not release formaldehyde in use, which simplifies labeling and consumer acceptance.

EPA Safer Choice listed active. The isothiazolinone active ingredient in KATHON™ is listed on the EPA’s Safer Chemical Ingredients List, which supports formulations seeking the EPA Safer Choice label.

Biodegradable and environmentally acceptable. KATHON™ CG/ICP is rapidly biodegradable, which reduces environmental impact and simplifies wastewater and disposal compliance.

Excellent formulation compatibility. The isothiazolinone active is compatible with anionic, nonionic, and cationic surfactants, emulsifiers, corrosion inhibitors, fragrances, and colorants. It performs across a wide pH range and doesn’t interfere with cleaning performance.

No color or odor impact. KATHON™ CG/ICP preserves cleaning formulations without adding off-colors or odors to the finished product.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is KATHON™ CG/ICP?
KATHON™ CG/ICP is an EPA-registered, broad-spectrum microbicide manufactured by LANXESS for preserving water-based cleaning products and detergents. Its active ingredients are methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT) and methylisothiazolinone (MIT) in a 3:1 ratio, which together protect against bacteria, fungi, mold, and yeast at very low dosage rates.

What is CMIT/MIT in cleaning products?
CMIT/MIT is a blend of two isothiazolinone preservatives: 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (CMIT) and 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (MIT). It’s the most widely used in-can preservative system for liquid cleaning products because of its broad-spectrum efficacy, low dosage requirement, and compatibility with surfactant-based formulations. KATHON™ CG/ICP is the original branded CMIT/MIT product.

How much KATHON™ CG/ICP should I add to my cleaning formulation?
KATHON™ CG/ICP is used at 0.05–0.15% (500–1,500 ppm as supplied), which delivers 6–22.5 ppm of active isothiazolinones in the finished product. The exact dosage depends on the formulation type, pH, storage conditions, and level of microbial challenge expected during the product’s shelf life.

Is KATHON™ CG/ICP formaldehyde-free?
Yes. KATHON™ CG/ICP does not contain formaldehyde and does not release formaldehyde in use. This makes it a strong option for formulators moving away from formaldehyde-donor preservatives due to consumer preference or regulatory requirements.

What’s the difference between KATHON™ CG/ICP and KATHON™ CG/ICP II?
Both products contain the same CMIT/MIT active ingredients at the same 1.50% concentration. The difference is the stabilizer system: KATHON™ CG/ICP uses 23% magnesium salts, while KATHON™ CG/ICP II uses only 2.8% magnesium salts plus 0.15% cupric nitrate. KATHON™ CG/ICP II is the better choice for salt-sensitive formulations where high electrolyte content could cause cloudiness or instability.

Is KATHON™ CG/ICP biodegradable?
Yes. KATHON™ CG/ICP is rapidly biodegradable, which means it breaks down in the environment without persisting or accumulating. This supports environmental compliance and aligns with the growing demand for sustainable cleaning product formulations.

Is KATHON™ CG/ICP compatible with surfactants?
Yes. The isothiazolinone active in KATHON™ CG/ICP is compatible with anionic, nonionic, and cationic surfactants, as well as emulsifiers, fragrances, colorants, and corrosion inhibitors. It performs across a wide pH range, which gives formulators flexibility across different cleaning product types.

Is KATHON™ CG/ICP on the EPA Safer Choice list?
The isothiazolinone active ingredient used in KATHON™ CG/ICP is listed on the EPA’s Safer Chemical Ingredients List. This makes it eligible for use in formulations pursuing the EPA Safer Choice label, a program that identifies products with safer chemical profiles.

Who manufactures KATHON™ CG/ICP?
KATHON™ CG/ICP is manufactured by LANXESS, a global specialty chemicals company. The product was originally developed by Dow and later manufactured by DuPont before LANXESS acquired the microbial control business. ChemPoint is an authorized distributor for KATHON™ CG/ICP in the United States.

What pH range does KATHON™ CG/ICP work in?
KATHON™ CG/ICP is effective across a wide pH range, generally from pH 3 to 8. Performance and stability can vary at the extremes of that range, so formulators should test preservation efficacy in their specific system. High-pH formulations or those with high amine content may benefit from increased dosage or a complementary preservative.