Calgon

Last updated
Calgon
Product typeBath and beauty
OwnerPDC Brands
Country United States
Introduced1930;95 years ago (1930)
Previous ownersCalgon, Inc.
Merck & Co.
Website takemeaway.com

Calgon is an American brand of bath and beauty products, owned by PDC Brands.

Contents

Early history

The original product consisted of powdered sodium hexametaphosphate (amorphous sodium polyphosphate), which, in water, would complex with ambient calcium ions and certain other cations—preventing formation of unwanted salts and interference by those cations with the actions of soap or other detergents. Its name, a portmanteau derived from the phrase "calcium gone", [1] was originally promoted for general use in bathing and cleaning. It gave rise to derivative products, which have diverged from the original composition. Today, Calgon water softener contains the active ingredient sodium citrate, [2] and the now discontinued powder used zeolite and polycarboxylate, all of which are less problematic in wastewater treatment than phosphates.

Companies

The brand has its origin in Calgon, Inc. of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which first put Calgon water softener on the market in 1933. [3]

In 1965, Calgon was separated into:

References

  1. 1 2 Walker, Andrea K. (June 22, 2010). "Calgon, take me away...again". The Baltimore Sun.
  2. "CALGON® Water Softener - Liquid". www.rbnainfo.com. Retrieved 2020-06-08.
  3. Trademark registration of "Calgon", U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  4. "Yellow Wood Partners Purchases Ilex Consumer Products Group, Inc". Archived from the original on 2016-11-11. Retrieved 2016-11-10.
  5. "Our Investments". Archived from the original on 2016-10-26. Retrieved 2016-11-10.
  6. "British Company Will Buy Calgon Unit From Merck". The New York Times. 12 June 1993. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  7. "COMPANY NEWS; BRISTOL-MYERS TO BUY CALGON VESTAL FOR $261.5 MILLION". 4 November 1994. Retrieved 19 July 2016 via NYTimes.com.
  8. "Company Overview - Corporate - STERIS Corporation" . Retrieved 19 July 2016.