Solvent Substitution in Industrial Formulations

Safer solvents are required for industrial cleaning, as it is one of the most solvent-intensive applications - but is often challenging to reformulate or make a solvent substitution.

Traditional cleaning systems frequently rely on traditional solvents such as aromatic hydrocarbons, MEK, acetone, NMP, and d-limonene. These solvents provide strong solvency but come with safety, regulatory, and handling challenges.

Ester solvents and formulated cleaning systems developed by ESTI CHEM have been successfully applied to replace many of these traditional solvents. Examples of documented applications include replacement of hydrocarbon-based degreasers, and substitution of NMP, MEK & acetone, and similar high-risk solvents in resin processing.

Key observed benefits include  increased flash point and reduced flammability risk, improved working environment and reduced CLP labelling, and effective cleaning performance.

It began with the early adoption and development of vegetable ester solvents and has since expanded to replacing both aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons across a wide range of applications.

Along the way, we have gained practical insight into the challenges that come with formulation development - and the trade-offs that often need to be considered.

Because in solvent technology, experience is not only about knowing what works. It is also about understanding why a solution works in one formulation - and not necessarily in another.

Working closely with our customers, we combine technical expertise and practical formulation experience to identify solutions that meet specific performance, regulatory and operational requirements.