Peracetic Acid Solutions

Where is PAA Used? 

Highly effective against a broad range of microorganisms, peracetic acid is the ideal antimicrobial agent for applications across various industries, including agriculture, food processing, water treatment, pulp & paper, and more.

The primary use of PAA is to sanitize and disinfect food processing operations. PAA is also used to remove pathogenic bacteria strains found in beef/pork/poultry as well as in fruit and vegetables. PAA is the product of choice in food processing because of its ease of use, rapid kill, and breakdown into non-harmful biproducts. More importantly, PAA is known as the “cold” sanitizer and is extremely effective at ambient temperatures. The oil and gas industry uses PAA to protect carbon steel piping and equipment from corrosive attack resulting from sulfide forming bacteria. The product is also used to eliminate harmful hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas emissions at well sites and is used to control nuisance odors emitted from animal processing plants and wastewater treatment facilitates. Lastly, PAA is the product of choice for cooling tower treatments because of its effectiveness in removing slime-forming bacteria and its favorable aquatic toxicity profile.

How Does PAA Work?

PAA is a two-carbon organic acid that contains lots of oxygen ready for release in the presence of bacteria. The mode of action is oxidation of bacteria cells. The cell walls are quickly destroyed resulting in the annihilation of slime-forming bacteria and bacteria colonies. Unlike hops acid which is only effective against Gram (+) bacteria, PAA is effective at killing both Gram (+) (e.g., lactobacillus) and Gram (-) (e.g., acetobacter) bacteria. Because PAA is a heavy, stable liquid that is very soluble in water, it is many times more effective than conventional oxidizers like bleach, peroxide, and chlorine dioxide. Unlike SO2 and ammonium bisulfite, the byproducts of PAA will not become a food source for bacteria.

• Oxygen release
• Oxidation of bacteria
• Byproducts do not become bacteria food