Vertec patents vegetable- derived solvent

Tighter restrictions on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have encouraged the use of alternatives to conventional hydrocarbon solvents. Increasingly, engineers have turned to biodegradable solvents. The latest is Vertec BioSolvents' (Mt. Prospect, IL) Vertec Gold, a newly patented industrial cleaning solvent made from corn-derived ethyl lactate and soybean-based methyl soyate. Vertec says the solvent is readily biodegradable and contains no known hazardous air pollutants or global warming compounds. Each gallon of solvent uses more than half a bushel of renewable corn and soybeans.

According to coinventor Mark Henneberry, the solvent successfully replaces mineral spirits, lacquer thinner, xylenes, MEK, and other common petroleum-based compounds.

Applications range from engine part cleaning, grease and oil removal, paint brush cleaning and conditioning, and industrial equipment cleaning. It rinses easily with water without leaving a greasy residue, and could also find uses in chemical product formulating and compounding. Recent tests at Argonne National Laboratory (Argonne, IL) show Vertec Gold does as well or better than conventional solvents in degreasing and paint stripping.

Vertec BioSolvents and Archer Daniels Midland (Decatur, IL) recently signed an agreement to jointly develop and commercialize new markets for ethyl lactate, a biodegradable solvent made from corn. The product is commercially available in drums and bulk quantities.

For more information: James Opre, President, Vertec BioSolvents, 411 Business Center Dr., Suite 111, Mt. Prospect, IL 60056. Tel: 847-803-0575. Fax: 847-297-1365.

Edited by Angelo DePalma
Managing Editor, Pharmaceutical Online