OA16566A - Insecticidal polymer matrix comprising PBO and DM. - Google Patents

Abstract

An insecticidal polymer matrix containing Piperonyl Butoxide (PBO) and deltamethrin (DM), wherein the ratio between the content of PBO and the content of DM in terms of weight is higher than 3.

Description

Field of the Invention

The présent invention relates to an insecticidal polymer matrix comprising piperonyl butoxide and deltamethrin.

Background of the Invention

In connection with insecticide control, it is well known that insecticides can be integrated in polymer material in order to prevent insects to work their way through the material. However, when it cornes to the control of release rates of insecticides in a polymer matrix, this is regarded as a difïicult issue, because a release that is too rapid exhausts the matrix quickly with regard to insecticidal effect, and a too slow release does not hâve the desired effïcîency or suitable régénération properties in case the insecticide faits off or is removed, for instance, by washing.

For crop sheets, as disclosed in US 4,888,174, it is known to mix LDPE with other polymers in order to reduce the migration speed. This is in line with the disclosure of International Patent Application WO 02/43487, statîng that “the sélection of the polymers dépends on the desired release rate, where the disclosure conceming a multi barrier layer for buildings proposes a pcsticide-retaining layer of LDPE (low density polyethyiene) bonded to a layer of HDPE (high density polyethyiene), where the HDPE layer prevents a too fast release of the insecticide.

For cables, it is known from US 4680328 to extrade insecticidal polymer blends with LDPE, HDPE and LLDPE (linear low density polyethyiene) and a preferred insecticide halopyridyl phosphate. Different kinds of polymer insecticidal matrices are disclosed in International patent application WO 2008 032842 by Sumitomo conceming élongation of the matrix for fibre production, International patent application WO 2008 032844 by Sumitomo conceming pliability of insecticidal fibres, International patent application WO 2008 004711 conceming the sélection of the material to hâve a proper bleed coefficient for însecticdes in nets, and Japanese patent JP3535258 conceming a polymer sélection.

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US 2004 0134377 by Lee et ai. discloses a paint composition with PBO and DM. The peint comprises 25-50 mg DM per litre and 12.5 mg to 1350 mg PBO.

Apart front the diflîculty of achieving a suitable migration speed of insecticide in polymer matrices, the combination of an insecticide, for example DM (Deltamethrin), and a synergist, for example PBO (pîperonyi butoxide), incorporated in a polymer matrix ïmplies additional challenges. Despite the fact that incorporation of a pyre-

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ΙΟ long iasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) or fabrîcs is still an unresolved problem in practice. This is due to the fact that several parameters have to be fitted together to yield a product that is satisfactory. The parameters have to be found such that, firstly, the insecticidal dose on the surface of the material should be sufficiently high for killing insects, secondly, the release should last for more than a year in the case of LLIN, and should allow régénération of the nefs activity in case of washing of the net. and thirdly, the overall content of the insecticide and synergist should be low in order to keep the cost for LLIN at a minimum, as well as to minimize the potential exposure of an end-user to the active ingrédients contained in the net. The latter are important factors, because the largest markets for LLIN are régions with low income, and the primary end-users are infants and young children.

Especially, for insecticidal polymer matrices containing DM and PBO, the optimal ratio between the content of DM relative to the content of PBO in ternis of weight is still an open questions.

International patent application WO 2006/111553 discloses microcapsules with a solution of an insecticide, for example DM, and a synergist, for example PBO, in an aqueous suspension inside a polyurea capsule. The ingrédients of the microcapsule are released due to breakage of the microcapsule wall when it dries after spraying. The background for this disclosure is the assumption that release of the insecticide should be several hours delayed as compared to the release of the synergist. In the disclosed Example 5, the amount of synergist PBO relatively to the insecticide DM is a factor of 2 in the premix A. As shown in FIG. I, this premix is then surrounded by an émulsion containing a premix B containing 81% PBO. When used in connection with FIG. 2 of WO 2006/111553, the blend of Premix Λ and premix B with 5.9% DM and 23.9% PBO yields a ratio of 4.1 between PBO and DM which is further surrounded by premix B containing PBO. Although stating précise figures for containment of PBO and DM in an aqueous suspension inside a microcapsule for delayed release of DM relative to PBO, this disclosure does not give any hint as to the content of PBO relative to DM in a polymer matrix, for example a polyethylene matrix, where the insect shall be exposed to PBO and DM simultaneously by DM and PBO migrated to the surface of the matrix.

Object of the Invention

Therefore, it ïs the object of the invention to provîde an insecticidal polymer matrix with DM and PBO, where the ratio between DM and ΡδΟ is optimised.

Description of the Invention

This putpose is achieved with an insecticidal polymer matrix made of a material containing Piperonyl Butoxide (PBO) and deltamethrin (DM) as part of the material for migration of the PBO and the DM from inside the material to the surface of the matrix. The PBO content is higher than 3 times the content of the DM in the polymer matrix in terms of weight. Preferably, the PBO content is higher than 4 times or 5 times the content of the DM in the polymer matrix, for example between 5 and 10 times or between 8 and 10. The above mentîoned minimum ratios between the PBO and the pyrethroid arc much higher than the ratio of 2 as disclosed in WO 00/40084.

The invention is highly suitable for producing insecticidal fibres for LLIN and other insecticidal fabrics.

The polymer may advantageously be a polyolefin, for example polypropylène or polyethylene.

International patent application WO 2008/004711 discloses an insecticidal resin containing IIDPE and LDPE. Deltamethrin is one of the possibilities of insecticides, however, no relation is stated for the ratio between HDPE and LDPE in this resin with deltamethrin. A ratio of 12.1 is implîcitly stated in a single example for an HDPE/LDPE matrix containing 87.23% HDPE and 7,2% LDPE, permethrin, fine silica powder and a number of other ingrédients. Although permethrin is also a pythroid, this ratio of 12.1 contains no information about advantageous ratios of HDPE/LDPE for deltamethrin (DM). This is so, because

- DM has a much higher molecular weight than permethi'in, which influences the diffusion coefficient;

- DM has a higher polarity than permethrin which results in DM having a lower affinity in the non-polar PE; and

- DM has a vapour pressure an order of magnitude lower than permethrin.

Furthermore, the example states the content of fine silica powder, zinc stéarate, and other ingrédients affecting the migration rate of permethrin. In addition, the effective insecticidal amount needed on the surface of the substrate, is generally different for the two insecticides permethrin and DM. Using this above information about lhe dif5 ference between DM and permethrin, the conclusion is that the ratio should be much samller than the stated I2.l for permethrin. However, it is désirable to hâve a more précisé indication for the ratio between H DPE and LDPE in an insecticidal matrix useful in connection with DM.

Experimentally, there hâve been achieved good results for polyethylene matrices containing HDPE and LDPE, wherein the ratio of the contents of HDPE and LDPE is between 3 and 30, preferably between 5 and 20, for example between 5 and 11 or be• tween8andl0.

Having regard to the interval of between 5 and 20 when containing DM, this resuit is surprising relative to the disclosure of a ratio of 12,1 for pennethrin in International patent application WO 2008/004711, because one should expect the optimal ratio for DM be substantially different from 12.1, for example a ratio equal to a value around 2 or less due to the entircly different nature of DM, which is in solid form with entirely 20 different parameters than the liquid permethrin.

The argument becomes more illustrative when using percentages. A ratio of 5 in a HDPE/LDPE matrix without other ingrédients corresponds to 83% HDPE and 17% HDPE if no other ingrédients are included in the matrix, and a ratio of 20 corresponds 25 to 95% HDPE and 5% LDPE. Thus, the appâtent broad inteival of 5 to 20 corresponds to the relatively narrow interval of 83% to 95%. Having regard to the entire different nature of permethrin, one would expect the advantageous content of HDPE in the case of deltamethrin be much smaller than the than the 87.23 % as disclosed for permethrin in WO 2008/004711. However, surprisingly, this is not the case.

As experiments hâve shown, the amount of LDPE in a polymer matrix with HDPE should not bc too high, in order to assure an optimal migration rate of the PBO and the DM, whilst concomitantly achievïng optimal mechanical properties of the polymer

matrix. In this case, both substances migrate to the surface of the material, preferabiy a mosquito net, and expose the insect to PBO and DM instantaneously. This is a different strategy than for the micro capsules in the above mentioned International patent application WO 2006/111553 with a sequential exposure of PBO followed by DM.

Though, the two polymers HDPE and LDPE may be mixed with other polymers, experiments did show good results with only these two polymers constituting the polymer matrix. Also, preferabiy, the matrix is free from fine silica powder, or zinc stéarate, or both of them in contrast to the matrix as disclosed in the above mentioned 10 WO 2008/004711.

The surface content of PBO and DM on the surface of a polymer matrix dépends on the migration rate of PBO and DM in the polymer but also on (he thickness of the polymer substrate (i.e. the distance to the surface). The migration rate is influenced 15 by, amongst other factors, the proportion of amorphous phase in the polymer (i.e. the percentage of crystallinity), the diffusion coefficient, which, in turn, is affected by the température and the degree of affinity between the additives and the polymer. Therefore, the surface content of DM and PBO at any moment in time is determined by a combination of various thermodynamic effects but also by the shape of the polymeric 20 substrate being in the form of a yarn, a foil, or a bulk product.

The above ratios were verified as being especially useful for an insecticidal matrix in the form of a fully drawn monofilament yarn with a diameter of between 0.05 mm and 0.3 mm, preferabiy between 0.1 mm and 0.15 tnm. Especially, the HDPE and LDPE 25 ratio of between 5 and 11,5 and 10, or between 8 and 10, was suitable for such filaments. However, the above figures are also useful for multifilaments having a linear density in the same range.

The content of deltamethrin, preferabiy, is less than 1.5%, more preferabiy less than 30 1 %, of the weight of the polymer matrix.

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A useful amount of DM in a matrix according to the invention is between lg and 6g per kg polymer, for example, between lg and 5g or between 2g and 6g or beween 3g and 5g per kg polymer.

A preferred combination of parameters is the following,

- the insecticidal matrix is in the form of a monofilament, preferably fully drawn, with a diameter of between 0.05 mm and 0.30 mm, or an insecticidal matrix in the form of monofilaments of the type between 50 and 100 Denier,

- the weight content of DM is between 2g and 6 g, for example between 3g and 5g, per kg polymer,

- the weight content of PBO is more than 3 times, or rather more than 5 times, the weight content of the DM.

Another preferred combination is

- the insecticidal matrix is in the form of a monofilament, preferably fully drawn, with a diameter of between 0.05 mm and 0.30 mm, or an insecticidal matrix in the form of monofilamcnts of the type between 50 and 100 Denier,

- the ratio between the content of HDPE relative to the content of LDPE in the matrix is between 8 and 10, for example the content of LDPE is between 9% and 11%;

- the weight content of DM is between 2g and 6 g, for example between 3g and 5g, per kg polymer,

- the weight content of PBO is more than 3 times, or rather more than 5 limes, the weight contcnl of the DM.

A preferred combination of parameters were the following,

- the insecticidal matrix is in the form of a monofilament, preferably fully drawn, with a diameter of between 0.10 mm and 0.15 mm, or an insecticidal matrix in the form of monofilaments of the type between 50 and 100 Denier, t (

- the ratio between the content of HDPE relative to the content of LDPE in the matrix is between 8 and 10, for exanple the content of LDPE is between 9% and 11%;

- the weight content of DM is between 3g and 5g per kg polymer,

- the weight content of PBO is between 5 and 7 times the weight content of the DM.

At this point, it should be emphasized that the content of DM is in the sub-percent range and the content of PBO is in the range of a few % only, whereas in International application WO 00/40084 the content of Pyrcthroid is in the range of up to 10% and the content of PBO is in the range up to 20%. By încluding vast amounts of insecticide and synergist in a matrix, high insccticidal efficiency and also relatively long lasting effect can, indecd, be achieved. However, for LLIN, this must withstand the additional constraint of régénération of insecticidal activity after washing in an interval that is relevant for the end product, typically less than seven days. Furthermore, the risk to end usera and the production costs should be low, which requires an as low content as possible, though still enough for sufficient long lasting effect and multiple régénérations following repeated washings at rcgularintervals.

A highly preferred use of the filament matrix according to the invention is a monofilament yarn as part of a woven net, especially bed nets against mosquitoes. For bed nets, the entire net may be made of such insecticidal matrices according to the invention, but in some cases, it is preferred that only the roof is made thereof. The side walls could then be made of polymer containing DM but not PBO, for example a polyethylene matrix with DM. Altematively, the side walls are made of another material, for example polyethylene terephthalate (PET), also called polyester (PES).

One of the ways to slow down chemical or photochemical dégradation of PBO and DM on the surface of the matrix uses an antioxidant distributed, preferably homogenously distributed, in the polymeric substrate. Such antioxidants is used to décomposé as fast as possible any reactive species, for exemple radicals and peroxides, formed with time on order to prevent reaction with and changing of the chemical nature of DM or PBO in such a way that their bioactivitics is detrimentally affected.

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In addition, spécial migration promotors or inhibitors may be used to adjust the migration speed. For example, some promotors or inhibitors may work more or less on DM than on PBO, by which the migration speed of these two components can bc adjusted relatively.

The matrix according to the invention is primarily intended for extrusion, however, it may as well be used in moulding processes. Thus, the DM and the PBO are incorporated into the molten polymer.

Other ingrédients for a matrix according to the invention are found among UV protcctors, plasticizers, colorants, preservativcs, détergents, fillers, impact modifiers, antifogging agents, blowing agents, clarifiers, nucleating agents, coupling agents, conductivity-enhancing agents to prevent static electricity, slabilizers, for example, carbon and oxygen radical scavengers, flame retardants, mould release agents, optical brighteners, spreading agents, antiblocking agents, foam-forming agents, anti-soiling agents, thickeners, further biocides, wetting agents, plasticizers adhesive or anti-adhesive agents, fragrance, pigments and dyestuffs and other liquids including water or organic solvents.

Apait from the incorporation of DM and PBO in the matrix, the matrix may be coated with other insecticidal agents, for example Caibamates or Organophosphates. This can be used as a measure against insecticidal résistance. However, in this case, it should be assured that the coating is configured for migration of the DM and PBO through the coating.

Apart from using the matrix according to the invention for bednets and fabrics, the matrix may also be used for taipaulins, foils, fiat yams and bulk material. Such different materials may be combined by different kind of bonding techniques or sewing techniques. Also, materials with an insecticidal polymer matrix according to the invention may be combined with materials containing other insecticides. For example, a net or fabric with a polymer matrix according to the invention may be combined with a different net, fabric, foil, fiat yam or tarpaulin containing a different insecticide in order to combat insecticidal résistance.

The extrusion should be relatively mild, with a température lower than 240°C, and with minimal résidence time, water quenching of the yarns, and in-line drawing of the yam to a draw ratio of 5 to 10, rather 8 to 10, thus, achieving the crystallînity of the yam/matrix associated with the state of “fully drawn yam” and the desired migration rate and as well as other suitable physical properties.

Generally, it seems that an advantage over the prior art is achieved, if an insecticidal polymer matrix is selected with H DPE (.high density polyethylene), LDPE (low density polyethylene), wherein the ratio of the contents of HDPE and LDPE is between 3 and 30, preferably between 5 and 20 or between 5 and 11 or between 8 and 10. Such a matrix is advantageous also for other insecticides than DM and other synergists than PBO. However, the insecticide, and optionally the synergist, should be able to migrate in the matrix.

For mosquito nets, for exemple with fibres of 75 or 100 Denier, a non limiting appropria te content of DM is larger than lg/kg, preferably larger than or at least 2 g/kg. Optionally, the content of DM is lower than 5 g/kg, preferably at most or lower than 4 g/kg. Thus, an interval of between 1 and 5 g/kg or, preferably, between 2 and 4 g/kg has been experienced as a good interval for such fibres in mosquito nets.

Optionally, the end points of ail stated intervals may be part of the intervals.

Description of the Drawing

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, where FIG. 1 illustrâtes the influence of time lag on the efficacy of PBO exposure and DM; FIG. 2 illustrâtes the effect of the content ratio between PBO and DM;

FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment of a bed net according to the invention with a roof that contains PBO and DM;

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of a bed net according to the invention, the bed net having a skirt;

FIG. 5 illustrâtes a rectangular net.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The path leading to the invention did comprise a number of intermediate steps, in as much as the solution, despite its simplicity is not straightforward.

In the teaching in the field of insecticidal nets, it has hitherto been assumed that PBO has to be transferred to the mosquito well in advance to the exposure to DM, because the PBO was believed to need a certain time in the mosquito before it temporarily breaks down the résistance mechanism. This is reflected in lhe above mentioned International patent application WO 2006/11155. As the dégradation of PBO by sunlight/visible light créâtes radicals leading to a dégradation of the DM, it has hitherto been believed that a provision of PBO and DM at the surface of the net at the same time and at the same position is a hinder for an efficient insecticidal net, because the time lapse between the necessary PBO exposure to the mosquito before the DM exposure leads to a dégradation of the DM in the mean time. This implied a conclusion that a polymer having incorporated DM as well as PBO for migration to the surface of the material is not a proper material for insecticidal nets. It should be mentioned here that no LL1N with incorporated PBO and DM hâve found way to the market yet, despite a great demand for a feasible solution. Instead, encapsulation of synergist and insecticide together with an antioxidant into UV protected microcapsulcs has been proposed in US patent No. 4,056,610 as one of the measures to overcome this problem.

One of the corner stones of the invention is the fact that experiments revealed thaï the bioefficacy of PBO and DM treatment is highest when mosquitoes were exposecl to PBO and DM simultaneously. As described above, this is against the teaching in the field of insecticidal nets. A proof for this is illustrated in FIG. 1. showing that for different dosages, there was a remarkable increase in efficacy when DM and PBO were provided to the mosquito at the same time.

Having recognised this, there was a new motivation for providing a polymer matrix containing PBO and DM, where both can bc found on the surface of the matrix and migratc at a similar rate so as to replenish the surface after déplétion (by washing, for instance) in order to expose insects to DM and PBO at the same time. As long as there is a steady release of these two substances, the efficacy against mosquitoes is optimal. Of course, this is compounded by the added constraint for LLINs that the said polymer matrix, once knitted into a netting material, should hâve suitable migration properties so that PBO and DM be regenerated at lhe surface of the yarn/fabric following washing.

The question then arises, which material should be chosen for the matrix, Studies revealed that polyester has a very slow migration rate, which was not sufficient to release enough DM and PBO through migration of polyester yam of 100 Denier, even when used a multifilament with 35 filaments. HDPE had a release rate which was higher than for polyester, but not high enough for sufficient insecticidal efficacy or régénération at a rate suitable for mosquito netting materials, despite good mechanical properties making it suitable for knitling into netting material. On the other hand, LDPE has a migration rate, which is far too high fora LLIN, and yarns made of pure LDPE hâve low mechanical properties that make them unsuitable for knitting into netting material. Thus, according to the invention, a mixture of LDPE and HDPE was envisaged, and it was found empirically, that for sufficient but also long lasting release of DM and PBO, a mixture of HDPE and LDPE was optimum, where the weight ratio between HDPE and LDPE was between 30 and 3 and rather between 20 and 5. The ratio dépends on the thickness of the matrix. For monofilament yarns with a thickness of 0.06 mm, the HDPE/LDPE weight ratio was best between 15 and 25 and for yarns with a thickness of 0.25 mm, the ratio was best between 4 and 7. For yarn thickness in between these two numbers, the ratio may be interpolated. These parameters seem to give the said monofilament yarns adéquate crystallinity at a given draw ratio and therefore an appropriate migration rate at the typical température these produis are used.

In the experiments, no other polymers were introduced into the matrix. The above ratios corresponded in these experiments to a LDPE weight content of between 3.5% and 35% in the HDPE/LDPE matrix, whereas, however, the preferred content of LDPE in terms of weight was between 5% and 17%, better between 8% and 12%.

A successful monofilament yarn with a diameter of 0.10 mm to 0.15 mm, for example aiound 0.12 mm, the content of HDPE and LDPE in terms of weight was at a ratio between 8 and 10, rather around 9, corresponding to an LDPE content of around 10%, when no other polymers were introduced.

However, as it tumed out, not only (hc ratio between the content of HDPE and LDPE could be used to optimise the yarn with respect to long lasting high efficiency. Also the content of the PB O content relative to the DM content proves to be crucial.

In this connection, FIG. 2 shows the PBO/DM ratio as abscissa and a percentage Functional Mortality of résistant Culex quinquefasciatus as ordinate for two different DM dosages, namely dosage DMl=1.32mg/m² and dosage DM2=1.76mg/m² in a WHO cône test with a mixture of DM and PBO. From FIG. 2, it is apparent that the ratio between PBO and DM in terms of weight should be above 4, or rather above 5, in order to yield a high efficacy against mosquitoes. However, a ratio far above 5 does not improve the effect.

Examples of successful yarns had diameters of between 0.10 mm and 0.15 mm, for example around 0.12 mm, and a content of HDPE and LDPE in terms of weight at a ratio between 8 and 10, for example around 9, and containing 4g DM per kg polymer and 25g PBO per kg polymer. Due to necessary initial migration before a sufficient content is reached at the surface of the matrix, the yarn had to be stored for a certain time to leach sufficient efficacy, for example a week (o reach 80% efficacy.

The content of DM and PBO may be varied. For example, in the yarn with a thickness of between 0.10 mm and 0.15 mm, and a HDPE and LDPE weight content ratio of between 8 and 10, the content of DM may be selected between 2g and 6g DM per kg polymer and correspondingly 4 to 10 times as much PBO, preferably between 5 and 7 times as much PBO, for examplc 6 times as much PBO.

The monofilament polyethylene yarns may successfully be used for bed nets, where the entire net is provided with such material. However, in case that the side walls of the nets arc preferred to be produced in polyester inuitifilament due to the relatively

I3 higher softness and cotton like feeling, the extruded HDPE/LDPE monofilament yarn may be used for the top part of the net. The efficacy will in most cases still be high, because mosquitoes typically attack their potential victims from above and tend to land on the roof of bed nets, especially rectangular bed nets.

As a further addition, migration promoters may be included in the molten matrix prior to extrusion of the insecticidal polyethylene blend,

FIG. 3 illustrâtes a conical canopy net l above a bed 6 to protect humans on the bed 6 from being attacked by insects, primarily mosquitoes. The roof 4 of the net 1 is provided as a material according to the invention with PBO and DM incorporated in a polymer matrix, and the side walls 5 of the canopy 1 comprise an insecticide but no PBO. A stabilising ring 9 is inscrtcd between the roof 4 and the side walls 5.

FIG. 4 illustrâtes a conical canopy insecticidal barrier according to another embodiment of the invention, wherein the roof 4 and the side wall 5 are provided as a material according to the invention with PBO and DM incorporated in a polymer matrix. The side wall 5 extends to the lower edge 30 of the barrier and has an upper part 2 and a lower part 3. The canopy insecticidal barrier is intended to cover a space for human beings or animais, for cxample a bed 6 as illustrated in FIG. 4. In order to enter the space undemeath the canopy, the lower part 3 of the barrier 1 is exposed to surface touch and, therefore, exposed to abrasion of insecticide from the surface of the material. In order to increase the strength of the net, the lower part 3 is has a material with higher abrasion résistance and mechanical strength, for example a stronger net, a fabric or a tarpaulin or a combination of these. Also, lhe lower part 3 may be provided with higher insecticidal content in order to take into account the higher abrasion of the insecticide from the surface of the material.

The thickness of the filaments for bed nets may vary in dependency of the actual requirements for the net. Typically, yarns with a weight of between 50 Denier and 100 Denier arc used.

FÎG. 5 shows a rectangular shape for a net, which may substitute the shapes of the nets in FIG. 4 and FIG. 3. However, the net in FIG. 5 has a roof 4 with a polymer matrix according to the invention, whereas the side walls 5 are muItifilament polyester in order for the side walls to hâve soft, cotton like feeling. In order to provide additional strength to the lower part 3 of the side walls 5, the net has a tighter knît in this part 3.

The walls of the net are provided without PBO but with DM imprégnation complying with WHO spécification 333/TC and being wash résistant and largely in line with the imprégnation method in the disclosure of International patent application WO 01/37662, which also is used for the wel) known bcd net under the trademark Per10 maNet®. The side wall 5 is provided with between 2.5 g and 3.5 g DM per kg of the matrix, which mainly is the polymer. As the yam density is different in the lower part of the side walls 5, the amount per square meter is higher. For example, if the value is chosen to 2.8 g/kg in a 75 Denier yarn, for example with about 40g/m² for the lower part of the side walls and 30g/m² for the remaining part of the side walls, the DM 15 level is 115 mg/m² of the lower part 3 of the side wall 5 and 85 mg/m² in the remaining part of the side wall 5. The preferred net had a minimum of 24 holes per cm². The preferred amount of DM in the roof net with 100 Denier was chosen to be between 3 and 5 g/kg cooperating with a PBO content between 5 to 7 times, rather around 6

Claims (10)

1. An insecticidal polymer matrix being made of a material with Piperonyl Butoxide (PBO) and deltamethrin (DM) as part of the material for migration of the PBO and the DM from inside the material to the surface of the matrix, wherein the ratio between the content of PBO and the content of DM in terms of weight is higher than 3.

2. An insecticidal polymer matrix according to claim l, wherein the ratio between the content of PBO and the content of DM is higher than 5.

3. An insecticidal polymer matrix according to claim 2, wherein the ratio between the content of PBO and the content of DM is between 5 and 10.

4. An insecticidal polymer matrix according to any preceding claim, wherein the polymer is a thermoplastic polymer.

5. An insecticidal polymer matrix according to claim 4, wherein the polymer is a polyolefin.

6. An insecticidal polymer matrix according to claim 5, wherein the polymer is polyethylene.

7. An insecticidal polymer matrix according to claim 6, wherein the polyethylene comprises High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), wherein the ratio of (he contents of HDPE to LDPE in terms of weight is between 3 and 30.

8. An insecticidal polymer matrix according to claim 7, wherein the ratio of the contents of HDPE to LDPE is between 5 and 20.

9. An insecticidal polymer matrix according to claim 8, wherein the ratio of the contents of HDPE to LDPE is between 5 and 11.

ΙΟ. An insecticidal polymer matrix according to daim 9, wherein the ratio of the contents of HDPE to LDPE is between 8 and 10.

11. An insecticidal matrix according to any preceding claim, wherein the insecticidal matrix is in the form of a monofilament with a diameter of between 0.05 mm and 0.35 mm.

12. An insecticidal matrix according to claim 9, wherein the diameter is between 0.1 mm and 0.15 mm.

13. An insecticidal matrix according to claim 10, wherein the content of DM is between 2g and 6g per kg polymer.

14. An insecticidal matrix according to claim 1, wherein

- the insecticidal matrix is in the form of a monofilament with a diameter of between

0.05 mm and 0.35 mm,

- the weight content of DM is between 2g and 6g per kg polymer,

- the ratio between the content of HDPE relative to the content of LDPE in the matrix is between 5 and 20,

15. An insecticidal matrix according to claim 1, wherein

- the insecticidal matrix is in the form of a monofilament with a diameter of between 0.10 mm and 0.15 mm,

- the ratio between the content of HDPE relative to (he content of LDPE in the matrix is between 8 and 10,

- the weight content of DM is between 3g and 5g per kg polymer,

- the weight content of PBO is between 5 and 7 times the weight content of the DM.

16. An insecticidal matrix according to any preceding claim, where the content of LDPE is between 9% and 11% of the weight of the matrix.

17. An insecticidal matrix according to any preceding claim in the form of a yarn as part of a bed net.

18. An insecticidal matrix according to claim 17 in the form of a monofilament yam comprising PBO and DM as part of the roof of a bed net and in form of monofilament yam containing DM but no PBO as side walis for the bed net.

19. An insecticidal matrix according to claim 18 in the form of a monofilament yarn as part of the roof of a bed net, the bed net further having side walis made of a different material.

10 20. An insecticidal matrix according to claim J 9, wherein the matrix is part of a bed net with side walis made of multifilament polyester with an insecticidal coating.