UNVR - Emerald Appoints Univar Solutions as Distributor for Kalaguard® SB in the United States

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. , Dec. 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Univar Solutions Inc. (NYSE: UNVR) ("Univar Solutions" or "the Company"), a global chemical and ingredient distributor and provider of value-added services today announced an agreement with Emerald Kalama Chemical ("Emerald") to be a champion distributor in the United States for Kalaguard SB Sodium Benzoate ("Kalaguard SB"), the first and only Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered sodium benzoate preservative, now available for homecare applications.

"As the COVID-19 pandemic increases demand in the homecare and industrial cleaning (HIC) markets for hard surface cleaners and home care products, Univar Solutions continues to deliver differential value by providing a consistent global approach through its expanding portfolio of solutions," said Joshua Hicks , vice president of Industrial Solutions at Univar Solutions. "Kalaguard SB is an excellent example as this provides an additional preservative for homecare applications to help meet changing regulatory needs and consumer demands in the HIC marketplace."

Kalaguard SB allows homecare formulators to take advantage of the efficacy, economy and consumer-friendly profile of sodium benzoate as a preservative with more favorable labeling when compared to other preservative offerings.

"Our collaboration with Emerald allows us to introduce this product to customers in concert with Emerald's technical support," added Aaron Lee , business director of homecare and industrial cleaning at Univar Solutions. "This approach is expected to help make the transition to Kalaguard SB easier and allows us to better assist our customers with formulation challenges they may face."

Sodium benzoate is well-known as an additive in food, personal care products, and pharmaceuticals. Emerald completed registration for Kalaguard SB as a new active ingredient under the United States EPA Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) in October 2020 , making it the preferred sodium benzoate preservative for homecare applications available on the market today. Applications include in-container control of bacteria, yeasts, and molds in industrial and household products such as fabric conditioner, hand wash liquid, and general-purpose cleaners.

Rosanna Stokes , business development manager for Emerald's Consumer Specialties business in the Americas, added, "Recently, the range of available preservatives has decreased significantly due to regulatory pressure, evolving consumer preferences, and supply disruptions. At the same time, there is demand for eco-friendly, skin-friendly products that are still adequately protected from microbial contamination. Emerald Kalama is a leader in HIC preservation and is excited to partner with Univar Solutions to introduce Kalaguard SB to customers. This globally trusted ingredient is non-sensitizing and non-irritating to the skin, nature identical, readily biodegradable and manufactured to the highest quality standards."

"Univar Solutions is pleased to be a champion distributor for Emerald's Kalaguard SB in the United States as Kalaguard SB further enhances our ability to serve customers in this market with best-in-class specialty ingredients," said Bill Perry, senior product manager at Univar Solutions. "Univar Solutions and Emerald are aligned and committed to driving and delivering innovation and growth in the homecare market and developing new chemistries and solutions to help our customers' businesses succeed."

About Univar Solutions
Univar Solutions (NYSE: UNVR) is a leading global specialty chemical and ingredient distributor representing a premier portfolio from the world's leading producers. With the industry's largest private transportation fleet and North American sales force, unparalleled logistics know-how, deep market and regulatory knowledge, world-class formulation and recipe development, and leading digital tools the company is well-positioned to offer tailored solutions and value-added services to a wide range of markets, industries, and applications. Univar Solutions is committed to helping customers and suppliers innovate and grow together. Learn more at UnivarSolutions.com .

About Emerald Kalama Chemical
Emerald Kalama Chemical offers a wide spectrum of high-quality ingredients and materials, which bring value and performance to applications such as adhesives, foods, beverages, fragrances, cosmetics, home care, rubber, vinyl, and other consumer and industrial products. Emerald Kalama Chemical has three businesses to serve these markets: Industrial Specialties, Consumer Specialties, and Antioxidants and Accelerators. Headquartered in Vancouver, Washington , Emerald Kalama Chemical is a business group of Emerald Performance Materials and serves customers globally from operations in the U.S. and Europe .

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes certain statements relating to future events and our intentions, beliefs, expectations, and predictions for the future which are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which may be beyond the Company's control. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations and assumptions. A detailed discussion of these factors and uncertainties is contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Potential factors that could affect such forward-looking statements include, among others: the ultimate geographic spread of the COVID-19 pandemic; the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic; actions that may be taken by governmental authorities to address or otherwise mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; the potential negative impacts of COVID-19 on the global economy and our customers and suppliers; the overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, results of operations and financial condition; other fluctuations in general economic conditions, particularly in industrial production and the demands of our customers; significant changes in the business strategies of producers or in the operations of our customers; increased competitive pressures, including as a result of competitor consolidation; significant changes in the pricing, demand and availability of chemicals; our levels of indebtedness, the restrictions imposed by our debt instruments, and our ability to obtain additional financing when needed; the broad spectrum of laws and regulations that we are subject to, including extensive environmental, health and safety laws and regulations; an inability to integrate the business and systems of companies we acquire, including of Nexeo Solutions, Inc., or to realize the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions; potential business disruptions and security breaches, including cybersecurity incidents; an inability to generate sufficient working capital; increases in transportation and fuel costs and changes in our relationship with third party providers; accidents, safety failures, environmental damage, product quality and liability issues and recalls; major or systemic delivery failures involving our distribution network or the products we carry; operational risks for which we may not be adequately insured; ongoing litigation and other legal and regulatory risks; challenges associated with international operations; exposure to interest rate and currency fluctuations; potential impairment of goodwill; liabilities associated with acquisitions, ventures and strategic investments; negative developments affecting our pension plans and multi-employer pensions; labor disruptions associated with the unionized portion of our workforce; and the other factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We caution you that the forward-looking information presented in this press release is not a guarantee of future events or results, and that actual events or results may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking information contained in this press release. In addition, forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "plan," "seek, "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe" or "continue" or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. Any forward-looking information presented herein is made only as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE Univar Solutions Inc.