Number
375-EN
Section
General Section
Use
Sector
Other
Function
Cleaning agent
Plating agent
Solvent
Process
Roller application or brushing
Non industrial spraying
Other
Product category
coatings and paints, thinners, paint removers
Ink and toner
Application
Bio based alternatives to chlorinated and other petroleum based solvents
Abstract
Bio based solvents can replace petroleum derived solvents in various applications like adhesives and coating, inks and cleaning products.
Substituted substances
Butanone
CAS No. 78-93-3 EC No. 201-159-0 Index No. 606-002-00-3
Chemical group
Ketones
Classification: hazard statements
H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapour
H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness
H319 Causes serious eye irritation
Trichloroethylene
CAS No. 79-01-6 EC No. 201-167-4 Index No. 602-027-00-9
Chemical group
Organochloride compound, halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbon
Classification: hazard statements
H350 May cause cancer
H341 Suspected of causing genetic defects
H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness
H315 Causes skin irritation
H319 Causes serious eye irritation
H412 Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Other adverse effects
The substance is: 2A carcinogen (IARC), neurotoxic cat. 4 (Vela et al.) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria (SDSC).
Tetrachloroethylene
CAS No. 127-18-4 EC No. 204-825-9 Index No. 602-028-00-4
Chemical group
Halocarbons
Classification: hazard statements
H351 Suspected of causing cancer
H411 Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Other adverse effects
The substance is: 2A carcinogen (IARC), endocrine disruptor (SIN List), endocrine disruptor cat. 2 (EU EDC database), as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria (SDSC).
1-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone
CAS No. 872-50-4 EC No. 212-828-1 Index No. 606-021-00-7
Chemical group
Lactams
Classification: hazard statements
H360D May damage the unborn child
H335 May cause respiratory irritation
H315 Causes skin irritation
H319 Causes serious eye irritation
Dichloromethane
CAS No. 75-09-2 EC No. 200-838-9 Index No. 602-004-00-3
Chemical group
Chlorinated Halocarbons
Classification: hazard statements
H351 Suspected of causing cancer
Other adverse effects
The substance is: 2B carcinogen (IARC) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria (SDSC).
Alternative Substances
Ethyl L-lactate
CAS No. 687-47-8 EC No. 211-694-1 Index No. 607-129-00-7
Chemical group
Carboxylic acid esters; alcohols
Classification: hazard statements
H226 Flammable liquid and vapour
H335 May cause respiratory irritation
H318 Causes serious eye damage
Soy bean methyl ester
CAS No. 67784-80-9 EC No. 267-055-2 Index No.
Chemical group
Fatty acids; ester
Reliability of information
Internet information: data are from an internet document and only a basic and partial evaluation could be performed
Reason substitution
physical hazards
neurotoxicant
CMR
ED
skin/respiratory sensitizing
Hazard Assessment
Substances to be substituted: Butanone is a highly flammable liquid and vapour, may cause drowsiness or dizziness and causes serious eye irritation. Trichloroethylene may cause cancer, causes serious eye irritation, is suspected of causing genetic defects, is harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects, causes skin irritation and may cause drowsiness or dizziness. Tetrachloroethylene is suspected of causing cancer and is toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. It is an endocrine disruptor (SIN List) and an endocrine disruptor category 2 (EU EDC database) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC). 1-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone causes skin irritation, causes serious eye irritation, may cause respiratory irritation and may damage the unborn child. It is restricted under REACH (Annex XVII entry No. 71) due to its reproduction toxic properties, setting Derived No-Effect Levels (DNELs) relating to exposure of workers of 14,4 mg/m3 for exposure by inhalation and 4,8 mg/kg/day for dermal exposure. Dichloromethane is suspected of causing cancer. Alternative substances: Ethyl lactate and methyl soyate are not in the database (SDSC) of substances known to be of high concern, according to SUBSPORTplus criteria. Ethyl lactate is a flammable liquid and vapour, causes serious eye damage and may cause respiratory irritation.
Description of Substitution
Ethyl L-lactate may be used as substitute for dichloromethane (methylene chloride, DCM), butanone (methyl ethyl ketone-MEK),trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene and 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (N-methyl pyrrolidone). Until recently, the use of ethyl lactate has been limited due to high production costs. However, advances in lactic acid fermentation and separation and conversion technologies have driven down cost. It has been suggested by industry experts that ethyl lactate could replace conventional solvents in more than 80% of the applications. US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it for food industry. Methyl soyate may be used as alternative for a variety of chlorinated solvents (like MEK, DCM)but also for other petroleum based solvents ( like toluene or naphtha solvents). The use of soy-based solvents in printing inks is well known and fully commercial. Potential also exists in adhesives and coatings, but further product and process development work is necessary to ensure commercialization. The best market and application opportunities for methyl soyate appear to include: co-solvents, resin removal, asphalt release agent emulsions, and adhesive/coating additives.
Case/substitution evaluation
The substitution prevents the use of solvents that are known to be very hazardous to health and environment. The prices of alternatives are getting more accessible as their production and use increases and as a result of technical developments.
State of implementation
In use
Availability of Alternative
Alternatives are available on the market.
Type of information supplier
Producer / distributor
Publication source: author, company, institute, year
The description is based on: Ed, Petri The Evolution of Bio-Based Green Solvents, published by the Metal Finishing Magazine (on-line), in July 2011.
Publication source
Type of publication and availability
https://www.materialstoday.com/metal-finishing/features/the-evolution-of-bio-based-green-solvents/
Date, reviewed
November 26, 2021