Low odor biosolvent blends available for a wide range of applications August 7, 2007 Vertec BioSolvents, Inc. has achieved a major breakthrough in lactate ester technology. Despite their excellent, powerful solubility characteristics, very desirable physical properties, non-persistent (readily biodegradable) nature and renewable resource, carbon neutral origins, lactate esters such as ethyl lactate have not been broadly accepted by industry and consumers due to their strong characteristic odor. Even in blended solvents and formulated products that have high concentrations of lactate esters, the odor perception and tolerance have been difficult to overcome. Now, however, Vertec BioSolvents has discovered that blending ethyl lactate with certain specific alcohols such as ethanol overcomes the odor and tolerance problems associated with the lactate esters. This discovery is enabling more widespread use of the solvent blends in formulated products and as general wipe and cleaning solvents. This technical breakthrough has greatly expanded the potential for further applications and growth of biobased solvents as replacements for petrochemical solvents. Thus a solvent blend of ethyl lactate and ethanol overcomes the odor problem associated with the ethyl lactate while enhancing the solvating properties of ethanol. The concentration range of the two components is likely to be between 20 to 80% (w/w) of each. It could replace iso-propanol and other petroleum derived solvents in many applications, such as precision cleaning of critical metal or composite parts in the electronics and aircraft industries. A patent application is pending: U.S. Patent Application Serial # 11/781,450, Composition of Lactate Esters with Alcohols with Low Odor and Enhanced Performance, filed 07/23/2007.

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