IPWA Plc, one of Nigeria’s oldest paint makers, has unveiled a new product which prevents mold growth on building walls, fences, pipelines, etc.

Molds are fungi that can be found both indoors and outdoors. They grow best in warm, damp, and humid conditions, and spread and reproduce by making spores. Mold spores can survive harsh environmental conditions, such as dry conditions, that do not support normal mold growth.

Speaking at a briefing to introduce the new product, X-Mold, Managing Director/Chief Executive, IPWA, Engr. Suleiman Tella, remarked that it can also be used fight mold growth in hospitals, the food industry – where hygiene is of great essence. He said that the target market are the construction companies, industrials, and Oil & Gas.

According to Tella, who is also the Chairman of Paint Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, X-Mold is a water-base non-hazardous, concentrated mildew and mold remover/cleaner which makes the surface ready for use. It effectively cleans and protects surface from mold, mildew and fungus, before the surface will be fully ready for painting. He added that it is bleach free and designed for use on new wood, masonry, concrete, metal and all previously painted surfaces including carpets, drapes and all other fabrics.

Also speaking on the new product, Assistant General Manager (Operations & Technical), Mr. John Idowu, said that X-Mold is effective for interior and external use, with 99% effectiveness in eliminating and preventing mold growth as it kills mold on contact including the hyphens (root) and spores. The product, according to him, penetrates into the paper on dry wall and fresh wood to various depth depending on the moisture and wood specie, noting that it can be coated with all primers and top coat finishes.

Idowu, however, cautioned that in applying X-Mold, the container must be properly shaken to ensure the substance is well blended. The chemical according to experts at IPWA should be applied by spraying from top of the wall toward bottom.

Also, it must be applied directly on mildew stain and wipe within 10 minutes with sponge or a clean cloth (no need to rinse with water). But for grease and dirty areas, he said users are advised to spray and leave X-Mold for few minutes before wiping clean.

He said X-Mold is EPA Registered miracle product that is Bleach free, therefore, the surface will not turn ‘white’ the way bleach will’. He noted that users of this unique product will notice continued reduction of mold appearance for few days after the initial application because the miracle product keeps working to eliminate mold permanently.

Meanwhile, IPWA is consolidating its lead in the Marine and Oil & Gas paint sectors with pending LPOs running to about N100 million. The however declared that their main challenge is raising funds to finance its operations.

He noted that the credit squeeze in the economy is biting hard on the company, adding that the company lost about N250 million last year because of lack of adequate working capital.