Number

375-EN

Section

General Section

Use

Abstract

Bio based solvents can replace petroleum derived solvents in various applications like adhesives and coating, inks and cleaning products.

Substituted substances

Alternative Substances

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