Renewable

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 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.

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. 

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.

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. 

Chempol® MPS paint formulations using biobased Sefose® oils. Chempol® MPS is a Sefose®-based alkyd resin technology that enables paint and coating formulation with less than half the VOCs of traditional alkyd paints and coatings. Sefose® oils are made from sugar and vegetable oil and serve as a viable alternative to petroleum-based solvents. They enable new high-performance alkyd paints with less than half the solvent. Using less hazardous solvents in paint improves worker safety, reduces indoor fumes, and improves air quality.

Sustainable and energy efficient building materials. These builing materials capture carbon dioxide and replenish farmland. The industrial hemp used in these products are grown sustainably and manufacture into insulation materials with renewable energy. Hemp growth offsets 9.8 tons of carbon dioxide per acre. HempWool® has no VOCs and toxins and is safe to touch. Other products include Hempcrete, Hemp and Lime Blocks, and AcoustiBatts.

Highly magnetic materials for enzyme immobilization. Enzyme immobilization can improve enzyme stability and enable enzyme recycling. This company uses a highly magnetic matrix that protects the enzymes from degradation and denaturation, allowing them to function in more extreme temperatures and pHs. The immobilized enzymes are also optimized to reach full activity and high loadings. The magnetic matrix allows the enzymes to easily and quickly recover with a simple magnet. This technology allows for cost-effective, industrial biocatalysis with better activity, results, and productivity.

Custom techniques for manufacturing products. By utilizing custom techniques for their products, Novasep is able to make their processes more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly by enabling synthesis through shorter routes with improved purity and yield. This also allows for solvent recycling, which lowers costs and reduces consumption.

First-generation surface display technology for better performing enzymes. This technology allows enzymes to be displayed on the outer membrane of bacteria, generating faster results in the screening of binding partners, inhibitors, and optimized enzymes. This technology makes the purification of enzymes simpler and cheaper as it only requires centrifugation and filtration.