With Solvay’s Augeo® solvents, cleaning becomes eco-friendly!
In a world in which sustainability and healthiness are in high demand, wouldn’t consumers be overjoyed if the petroleum-derived solvents traditionally used in cleaning products could be replaced by non-toxic, bio-sourced alternatives?
Well, that’s precisely what the Augeo® line of solvents offers – and yes, consumers are thrilled. So much so that sustainable and non-toxic solvents are the fastest-growing segment on the market.
The Augeo® line of solvents was developed for cleaning products and fragrances is based on glycerin, a colorless and odorless substance well known for its use as a humectant (a moisture preserver) in the food industry, and therefore completely harmless for people and the environment. Solvay launched the Augeo® line in 2009, and is proud to count it among its numerous solutions designed to help different industrial sectors become more environmentally friendly.
The fact this is a bio-based and renewable product is one of the main drivers for Augeo® today. But it combines that with many other benefits: it’s safe, odorless, highly versatile and its efficiency is aligned with competing solutions.
A powerful, bio-sourced, non-toxic solvent
Additionally, the glycerin in question is sustainably sourced, as it is derived from Brazil’s biodiesel initiative. The government has been running a large-scale program to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuel imports for transport since the 1970s. The main crop in this program is soybeans, and it just so happens the by-product of soy oil production (made using the beans that are unfit for export) is glycerin.
The molecule itself is well known; what’s new here is the sustainable origin of the raw material, all within well-established industrial protocol. “The fact this is a bio-based product based on a renewable material is one of the main drivers for Augeo® today,” confirms Priscilla Karan, Head of New Business at Solvay Coatis in Brazil. “But it combines that with many other benefits: it’s completely safe, odorless, highly versatile and its efficiency is aligned with competing solutions.”
This line of non-toxic solvents comprises two main products: Augeo® Clean Plus and Augeo® Clean Multi. Both possess high solvency power and cleaning performance and can be used in many different products, from household cleaners (Clean Plus) to interior fragrances (Clean Multi).
“Our customers appreciate the fact these are multifunctional products that can replace many other components,” continues Priscilla. “Clean Multi and Clean Plus can be used separately or together in the same formulation, not only reducing the range of solvents and surfactants manufacturers have to use, but also optimizing the entire formula because of the synergy effect they provide.” In that respect, a parallel can be traced between Augeo® solvents and the non-toxic guar derivative developed by Solvay as a natural-based additive for personal care products, specifically shampoos.
Water-based formulations with a smaller footprint
As water-soluble ingredients – as opposed to solvents derived from petroleum – they support the stability of water-based formulations, which are in turn also safer for users and for the environment. What’s more, the overall environmental benefits of Augeo® go beyond that, as Priscilla explains: “Not only does the raw material come from a renewable source, but the total lifecycle analysis demonstrates that the production of Augeo® significantly reduces CO2 emissions compared to petrochemical competitors.”
That’s right: reducing your carbon footprint can even be done while cleaning your kitchen!
