Some thoughts Steve is having...

 

Canola Methyl Ester Advantages

Canola methyl ester (CME), derived from the transesterification of canola oil, is considered a superior metal lubricant due to several beneficial properties:

1. Excellent Lubricity

• CME provides a high lubricating film strength, which reduces friction and wear between metal surfaces. This is due to its long-chain fatty acid structure that creates a robust molecular layer on metal surfaces.

2. Biodegradability

• CME is biodegradable and environmentally friendly, making it a safer alternative to petroleum-based lubricants, particularly in sensitive ecosystems or applications where spills could occur.

3. High Viscosity Index

• CME exhibits a stable viscosity across a wide range of temperatures. This ensures consistent performance under varying operating conditions, such as in high-speed or high-pressure applications.

4. Polarity

• The polar nature of CME molecules allows them to strongly adhere to metal surfaces, providing better boundary lubrication. This reduces wear during extreme conditions like high loads or low speeds.

5. Low Toxicity

• CME is derived from renewable, non-toxic sources, making it safer for workers and less harmful in case of leaks or accidental exposure.

6. Thermal Stability

• CME demonstrates good thermal and oxidative stability, ensuring it performs well at elevated temperatures without breaking down or forming harmful byproducts.

7. Corrosion Protection

• The fatty acid esters in CME help protect metal surfaces from corrosion by forming a thin protective layer.

8. Renewability

• As a plant-derived product, CME is renewable, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and contributing to sustainability efforts.

These characteristics make canola methyl ester particularly advantageous for applications in metalworking fluids, hydraulic systems, and biodegradable greases, where performance, environmental impact, and safety are critical factors.

----------------------------

The Superiority of Canola Methyl Ester (CME)

1. Carbon Chain Composition

• High Proportion of Monounsaturated Fatty Acids: CME primarily contains long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids, especially oleic acid (C18:1). This composition gives it:
• Excellent Lubricity: Reduces wear in mechanical applications.
• Better Oxidative Stability: Compared to esters with higher polyunsaturated content, CME resists oxidation and degradation.
• Versatility: The chain length and saturation make it effective for both defoaming and lubrication.
• Comparison:
• Soy Methyl Ester: Has a higher polyunsaturated fatty acid content, making it less stable than CME but better for rapid biodegradation.
• Palm Methyl Ester: Contains more saturated fatty acids, offering higher oxidative stability but poorer cold flow properties compared to CME.

2. Surface Activity and Hydrophobicity

• The carbon chain length and structure in CME provide a balanced hydrophobic-lipophilic balance (HLB), which is key in applications like defoamers, lubricants, and surfactants.
• Advantages:
• Good defoaming efficiency due to strong surface activity.
• Effective foam suppression across diverse industries.
• Comparison:
• Esters with shorter chains (e.g., coconut methyl ester) may have lower hydrophobicity, making them less effective in some industrial defoaming applications.
• Longer-chain esters may enhance hydrophobicity but risk reduced solubility and increased viscosity.

3. Environmental and Safety Considerations

• Biodegradability and Safety:
• CME is biodegradable and has low toxicity. Its balanced carbon chain length ensures sufficient stability while maintaining eco-friendliness.
• Comparison:
• Shorter-chain esters biodegrade more rapidly but may not offer the same performance under industrial conditions.
• Synthetic esters can outperform CME in stability but are less sustainable.

4. Performance in Low-Temperature Conditions

• CME's chain composition provides better cold flow properties compared to palm methyl ester (high in saturated fats) but is less effective than shorter-chain esters like coconut or soybean methyl esters.

5. Cost and Availability

• Canola oil, the source of CME, is widely available and cost-competitive in many regions, making it an economical choice without sacrificing performance.

Conclusion

CME's carbon chain is superior in many applications due to its balance of oxidative stability, surface activity, and cold flow properties, especially when compared to esters derived from more saturated (palm) or polyunsaturated (soy) sources.

----------------------------

Plant-Based Cleaning Products Reduces Disease and Extends Life

Exposure to indoor air pollution from toxic chemicals can significantly increase the risk of various diseases. Indoor air pollution often contains harmful substances such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, radon, and biological contaminants like mold and allergens. Prolonged or high-level exposure to these pollutants can lead to several health problems:

Respiratory Diseases

1. Asthma and Allergies: VOCs, mold, and particulate matter can exacerbate asthma symptoms and trigger allergic reactions.
2. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Long-term exposure to pollutants like smoke or particulate matter can damage lung function.
3. Lung Cancer: Radon and tobacco smoke are major contributors to indoor air-related lung cancer risk.

Cardiovascular Diseases

• Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, increasing the risk of heart disease, hypertension, and stroke.

Neurological Effects

• Some toxic chemicals, like carbon monoxide and certain VOCs, can impair cognitive function and cause symptoms like headaches, dizziness, or confusion.

Developmental and Reproductive Health

• Exposure to certain chemicals, such as phthalates or pesticides, has been linked to developmental delays in children, low birth weight, and reproductive issues.

Cancer

• Prolonged exposure to carcinogens like benzene, asbestos, and formaldehyde increases the risk of cancers beyond the lungs, such as leukemia.

Infectious Diseases

• Poor indoor air quality, particularly in overcrowded or poorly ventilated spaces, can increase the spread of airborne pathogens, including influenza and tuberculosis.

Prevention and Mitigation

1. Ventilation: Improve airflow to dilute indoor pollutants.
2. Air Purifiers: Use devices with HEPA filters to reduce particulate matter and allergens.
3. Avoid Smoking Indoors: Prevent exposure to tobacco smoke.
4. Reduce Chemical Use: Limit the use of VOC-containing products like paints, cleaning supplies, and synthetic fragrances.
5. Monitor Indoor Air Quality: Use air quality monitors to detect and manage pollutant levels.
6. Control Moisture: Address leaks and use dehumidifiers to prevent mold growth.

Protecting against indoor air pollution can reduce these health risks significantly.

----------------------------

SSI Can Help Formulate Safer Cleaning Products

Soy-based solvents and degreasers are generally considered healthier and more environmentally friendly than traditional solvent-based products. Here’s why:
Health Benefits

1. Low Toxicity:
• Soy-based products are derived from natural soybeans, making them less toxic than many conventional solvents, which often contain hazardous chemicals like VOCs (volatile organic compounds), toluene, and xylene.
• They are less likely to cause irritation to the skin, eyes, or respiratory system.
2. Biodegradability:
• Soy-based solvents break down more easily in the environment, reducing exposure to harmful residues.
3. Reduced Fumes:
• They typically emit fewer harmful fumes, lowering the risk of inhalation-related health issues.
4. Non-Carcinogenic:
• Many traditional solvents are linked to cancer risks due to their chemical composition. Soy-based alternatives lack such hazardous components.

Performance & Safety

• Safer for Workers: Handling soy-based degreasers requires fewer safety precautions since they are non-flammable and less likely to cause chemical burns.
• Effective Cleaning: While soy-based products are gentler, they are still effective for many cleaning and degreasing applications, though not all heavy-duty industrial tasks.

Overall, soy-based solvents and degreasers are healthier for both users and the environment, making them a preferable choice when health and sustainability are priorities.

----------------------------

Advancing Environmental Innovation, Solvent Systems is Eliminating Waste by Repurposing

Solvent Systems continues to make strides in environmental sustainability and add to award winning environmental advancements.

Repurposing waste is critical to a circular economy, where resources are kept in use for as long as possible, extracting their maximum value. Repurposing helps reduce the environmental impact of waste and contributes to a more sustainable future. Repurposing makes economic and environmental sense we named it ENVIRONOMICS.

Repurposing waste can take various forms, such as recycling, upcycling, or finding new applications for materials that would otherwise be discarded. Ways Repurposing can be implemented:

• Waste-to-Energy Conversion: Converting waste materials into energy through processes like incineration or anaerobic digestion.
• Material Recycling: Separating and recycling materials to create new products. This can include traditional recycling processes or more advanced techniques for specific materials.
• Upcycling: Transforming waste materials into products of higher value or quality. This could involve creative design and manufacturing processes to repurpose materials into new and desirable goods.
• Closed-Loop Systems: Implementing systems where products are designed to be easily disassembled and their components reused or recycled, promoting a circular economy.
• Innovative Technologies: Employing cutting-edge technologies to extract value from waste, such as using advanced sorting and processing techniques.
• Community Engagement: Involving local communities in waste reduction efforts, promoting awareness, and encouraging responsible waste management practices.
• Collaboration with Suppliers and Customers: Working with suppliers to minimize packaging and waste in the supply chain, as well as educating customers on responsible product disposal.

SSI can help your company reach your environmental sustainability goals while improving your economic efficiency.

----------------------------

Surplus Chemicals Sales Program reduces disposal costs and improves environmental impact

Solvent Systems’ Surplus Chemicals Sales Program is a beneficial strategy to reduce disposal costs and improve your environmental impact. Here are some reasons why this approach can be advantageous:

1. Cost Reduction: Disposing of surplus chemicals can be expensive, especially if they are hazardous or require special handling and disposal methods. Selling these chemicals to others who can use them can eliminate disposal costs and may even generate revenue for your company.
2. Environmental Benefits: Proper disposal of chemicals can be challenging and potentially harmful to the environment if not done correctly. By selling surplus chemicals to others who can use them, you can help prevent potential pollution and reduce your 50 year liability from waste.
3. Resource Conservation: Selling surplus chemicals extends the useful life of these resources, reducing the need for new production and the associated consumption of raw materials and energy. This contributes to resource conservation and a more sustainable approach to chemical management.
4. Regulatory Compliance: Many regions have strict regulations governing the disposal of hazardous chemicals. Selling surplus chemicals to others who can use them can help you comply with these regulations and avoid potential legal issues.
5. Collaboration: By selling surplus chemicals, you can foster collaboration with other organizations or researchers who may benefit from these materials. This can lead to scientific advancements and innovation in various fields.

Solvent Systems in an expert at selling surplus chemicals to ensure safety and compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. Here are some important considerations:

1. Safety: Ensure that the chemicals you're selling are properly labeled, packaged, and stored to prevent accidents and hazards during transportation and use.
2. Legal Compliance: Be aware of all local, state, and federal regulations related to the sale and transport of chemicals. You may need permits or licenses to sell certain types of chemicals.
3. Documentation: Maintain detailed records of the chemicals you're selling, including their origin, composition, quantity, and destination. This documentation is crucial for compliance and safety purposes.
4. Responsible Buyers: Verify that potential buyers are qualified and knowledgeable about the chemicals they are purchasing. Ensure they have the necessary equipment and expertise to handle and store the chemicals safely.
5. Transportation: If you are responsible for transporting the chemicals to the buyer, follow all transportation regulations, including labeling, packaging, and shipping requirements.

In summary, selling surplus chemicals can be a practical and environmentally responsible way to manage excess chemical inventory. However, it must be done carefully, with a focus on safety, compliance, and responsible handling to reap the full benefits of this approach while minimizing risks.

----------------------------

Feel Better with Green Cleaning Products

Many conventional industrial cleaning products are hazardous made with toxic ingredients that are carcinogens, mutagens, neurotoxins, teratogens or endocrine disrupters. Many of these cleaning products have volatile organic compounds (VOCs), that have many health hazards causing liver, lung and kidney damage besides adding to global warming and air pollution. Using conventional cleaners indoors is more dangerous as they can linger in the air for long periods of time. Solvent Systems’ green cleaning products are made using sustainable and naturally derived, safe, non-toxic and readily biodegradable ingredients. An important reason to consider using non-toxic natural cleaners, solvents and lubricants is to not contaminate the air you breathe.

Methyl Ester, not only eco-friendly, but also low cost, readily biodegradable, and a high solvency rating!

Even with lower petroleum pricing, industry’s environmental concerns about the environmental impact of chemicals in their facilities is growing, increasing the interest in biobased solvents. Methyl ester is not only eco-friendly it is also a low cost and readily biodegradable chemical alternative that could reduce millions of pounds of petroleum. Methyl ester has a higher solvency rating than many other solvents including mineral spirits yet is is safer to transport, store and handle because of a flash point over 300 F. Further, the EPA does not list as hazardous air pollutant or VOC.

Use of Solvent Systems’ methyl ester formulations are rapidly growing in both the industrial and consumer products, selling as a safe, environmentally friendly product for cleaners, degreasers and lubricants formulatulations. Global growth for methyl ester is projected to be 40% in 2016. The green cleaning chemical market is growing because it makes natural cleaners, degreasers and lubricants safer. Consumers are searching for these types of products and Solvent Systems can provide the raw materials that can help grow your business in this area.

Methyl Ester, The Solution to Global Warming

Innovation is changing the way we do business for both new and established industries. In the industrial chemical world, methyl ester is quickly becoming a petroleum solvent replacement choice because of stringent regulations curbing volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and increasing concerns over hazardous air pollutants from petrochemical-based solvents that are driving industries to shift to biobased solvents. The increased acceptance of methyl ester solvents in the paints and coatings, printing inks, pharmaceutical and metal working fluid sectors is extending their scope of application to a growing list of new industrial uses. These process developments will enable methyl ester biobased solutions to compete with traditional solvents in terms of performance, with significant value-adds such as low toxicity. Industry leaders are searching for safer solvents with a higher level of biodegradability along with lower health hazards. Methyl ester biobased solvents and lubricants is an emerging generation of fluids that will help design new eco-efficient processes for industry.

TED talk on the importance of innovation

Solvent Systems helps chemical distributors innovate.

Innovating with Biobased Products:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xvXkOMRTs4

----------------------------

The Future Looks Back to the Biobased Economy

One hundred years ago, most of our fuels, construction materials, clothes, inks, paints, and even synthetic fibers and chemicals were made from plant matter. Then petroleum flooded the economy and a new industrial era began. By the 1980's, less than 5 percent of our industrial products and fuels came from biological materials. Now industry may be moving away from the oil derrick and towards the silo for its supplies, as new technologies lower the cost of deriving products from plant matter and environmental regulations raise the cost of extracting, processing, using and disposing of fossil fuel derived products.

----------------------------

Stop Using Mineral Spirits, Bio-Solvents Are Better

Here is some background on solvent usage: Solvent is an essential part of most manufacturing processes. According to SRI Consulting, the annual global consumption of solvents is estimated at 30 billion pounds per year, and consumption in the United States alone is in excess of 8.4 billion pounds per year. Users of petroleum- based solvents are feeling more pressure than ever from regulators to reduce the environmental impacts associated with solvent use. This includes VOC emissions reduction and improper disposal. Swapping petroleum- based solvents with biobased options is an easy way to reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing operations and to prepare for coming regulatory requirements.

SSI biobased cleaners and bio-solvent replacements are made from plant matter and have the potential to dramatically reduce the amount of environmentally-polluting VOCs released to the atmosphere. They are better for people, better for sustainability, and now with better cleaning performance that surpasses conventional cleaners.

----------------------------

Glycerin, a Natural Cleaning Ingredient

SSI Biobased Cleaning Products add glycerin as a natural cleaning ingredient. Glycerin rapidly dissolves grease and boosts the power of SSI's Hero Biobased Products.

A Healthier Ecosystems Approach to Industrial Cleaning

Solvent Systems International has introduced a new healthier ecosystems approach to industrial cleaning. SSI's biobased cleaners are high bio-content solvents and chemical cleaners. This program offers customers positive environmental, economic and social benefits, a triple play bottom line. As more and more companies market their sustainability programs and discover that they are getting support from their customers, the market for biobased products will grow. Moving the plant derived chemical market from niche to mainstream. Now is the time to investigate the possibilities, let SSI help by presenting the options to you.

What do you think? Please tell us, drop us a note with this form: