Family of partially bio-based resins for coatings and inks. These resins are partially made from plant-based materials that are more sustainably sourced. Products have as much as 52% plant-based content. These coatings perform equivalent to, or better than, traditional fossil-fuel alternatives. The ingredients in these resins also contain very low VOCs.
Natural ester dielectric fluid. PCBs were traditionally used as fluid insulators in transformers and were eventually banned due to their high toxicity. PCBs were then replaced with petroleum-based mineral oil. Unfortunately, mineral oil is highly flammable and has a low affinity for water. Additionally, other insulator materials within transformers are made of cellulose. Thus, water inside the transformers was mostly absorbed by the cellulose-based insulator materials, catalyzing their degradation and reducing the lifetime of the transformers.
Solid catalyst alkylation process for the production of alkylate. Alkylate is a clean fuel component of gasoline. Traditional production methods use toxic liquid acid technologies that require post-treatment. Using the Alkystar catalyst, AlkyClean is a more efficeint alkylate production process that increases reaction speed and reduces environmental hazards by eliminating the need for liquid acids.
Synthesis of simvastatin with a biocatalyst. Simvastatin is a drug used to treat high blood pressure and cholesterol. The conventional synthesis of this drug is not atom-economic (<70% original mass) and utilizes toxic feedstocks. This new process from Professor Tang and his research group at UCLA uses a biocatalyst for regioselective acylation with safer and cheaper reagents in a high-yield, single-step process.
Polyester polyols based on rPET and other recycled components. Resinate® is a product line that uses recycled and renewable materials for high-performance applications in coating, adhesives, and foams. The product, Resinate® EP1000-5.6, is based on rPET (recycled PET) and other recycled components, resulting in 66% recycled content. Resinate® C2051-50 is a modified polyol for the coatings marketplace and contains 50% renewable content.
Long-lasting synthetic oils. Conventional oils are not long-lasting, which generates waste oil. Frequently disposing of large quantities of oil is hazardous to human health and the environment due to its composition of lead, nickel, and other heavy metals. AMSOIL's long-lasting oil extends its lifespan to 11 times longer than conventional oils; pairing this oil with an oil analysis program can further extend its life span. AMSOIL achieves this by removing impurities and allowing molecules to slip more easily over one another, reducing energy lost to friction and maximizing fuel economy.
Membrane separation process in solvent lube dewaxing. Conventional solvent lube dewaxing processes are energy-intensive due to the need for refrigeration. This new process uses an exclusive polymeric membrane material to separate up to half of the dewaxing solvents from the solvent mixture, reducing the need for distillation, cooling, and refrigeration. This reduced waste generation and VOC emissions. The process increases the yield of lubricants while decreasing by-product generation, virgin material extraction, and equipment.
Bio-based green solvents for formulating and cleaning. These sustainable, bio-based solvents and solvent blends are derived from corn, soybeans, citrus, and other renewable feedstocks. These biosolvents are based on ethyl lactate, fatty acid methyl esters, d-limonene, and ethanol. The main ingredient is VertecBio EL Ethyl LActate, an ester solvent derived from corn or sugar beets. They can be used in agricultural and industrial applications. Biosolvents can be used to form environmentally friendly herbicides, pesticides, and growth enhancers.
Sustainable biopolymers. EcoMer® is a family of VOC-free, bio-based monomers created from glucose derived from sustainable sources. EcoMer can be copolymerized with conventional vinyl monomers to produce polymers that can be used in pressure-sensitive adhesives. EcoStix® —a family of sugar-acrylic, pressure-sensitive adhesives — incorporates EcoMer technology. EcoStix is recyclable and repulpable. EcoSphere® Biolatex® binders are used in the paper and paperboard industry. They are lower cost, better quality, more productive, and superior in performance to traditional binders.
Bio-based solvents. These bio-based solvents serve as alternatives to petrochemical-based solvents. They are derived from agricultural crops that are rich in carbohydrates, such as corn, wheat, and beets. These carbohydrates are then purifed and fermented to make bioethanol and others alcohols and combined with esters of lactic acids and other natural acids. They also include fully biodegradable organic co-solvents. These solvets are less toxic, less flammable, and biodegradable. They also contribute less carbon emissions.