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MT. PROSPECT, IL. America's farmers are growing a solution to a major environmental concern. Around the world there is an environmental movement away from traditional ozone depleting petroleum based cleaning chemicals. A revolutionary development by a Mt. Prospect firm has lead to cleaning solvents made from corn. Factory workers and environmental regulators around the world will soon be breathing easier thanks to healthier corn based solvents.
VERTEC BIOSOLVENTS. has announced the development of two revolutionary cleaning and degreasing solvents made with ethyl lactate, a biodegradable solvent derived from corn. These environmentally friendly cleaners, which do not emit toxic ozone depleting fumes, will be sold under the trademarks of Vertec and VertecBio Gold.
"These products are high performance, green solvents that can successfully replace hundreds of millions of pounds of toxic petroleum-based chemical compounds used in the world today. They are also ideal for formulating degreasers, hand cleaners, ink removers and paint strippers," according to James Opre, Presidnet of VERTEC BIOSOLVENTS, LLC.
Both Vertec and VertecBio Gold have U.S. patents pending on the formulation or manufacturing processes. They are readily biodegradable and contain no known pollutants. Vertec is made using corn oil, and VertecBio Gold is made using corn oil and soybean oil. They are both renewable products and contain no known hazardous air pollutants and don’t contribute to global warming. Approximately one bushel of grain is used in the manufacture of each gallon of solvent.
"Corn growers depend on new uses for corn to assure a market for their increasing productivity. When a new use is developed that helps the environment and is good for the Illinois' economy everyone wins," said Doug Wilson, ICGA President of Gridley, IL.
A rigorous experimental protocol, recently completed at Argonne National Laboratory, has demonstrated that ethyl lactate based Vertec™ outperforms all conventional solvents for degreasing applications. Similar tests directed at paint stripping have also produced equally dramatic results.
Vertec and VertecBio Gold are being tested in many different industries including automotive, aircraft, printing, municipal, and institutional cleaning. Both products can serve as drop in replacements for mineral spirits, lacquer thinner, xylene, NMP, MEKąs and other hydrocarbon degreasing solvents and hazardous chemicals.
NTEC, Inc. and Archer Daniels Midland (NYSE: ADM) have signed an agreement to jointly develop and commercialize new markets for ethyl lactate. Under the auspices of this arrangement, all North American sales of ethyl lactate manufactured by ADM will be handled under the umbrella of a strategic relationship between NTEC and ADM.
ADM, based in Decatur, Ill., is engaged in the business of procuring, transporting, storing, processing and merchandising agricultural commodities and products. It is one of the world's largest
processor of oilseeds, corn and wheat, with over 23,000 employees worldwide and net annual sales in excess of $14Â billion.
Vertec and VertecBio Gold are commercially available in drums directly to end users. Inquiries should be directed to the sales department at VERTEC BIOSOLVENTS by calling 847-803-0575.
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