Sustainable Surfactant Designed to Replace Solvents

Stepan Co. has introduced STEPOSOL® MET-10U, a surfactant derived from natural oils that is targeted to displace solvents. This new cleaning solution is the first commercial product launched by Stepan as part of its joint development agreement with Elevance Renewable Sciences Inc.

According to the manufacturer, the product uses a naturally derived, metathesized feedstock to form a next-generation bio-based surfactant that achieves sustainability goals while improving cleaning performance. Applications include adhesive removal, paint and coating removal systems, kitchen degreasers, and all-purpose cleaners.

The company also notes that as a cleaner, the surfactant performs at half the solvent loading with neutral pH compared to alkaline degreasers (pH 11 to 13); as an adhesive remover, it provides equivalent removal of various adhesives at 5 percent concentration in aqueous phase compared with 100 percent N-methyl pyrrolidone; and as a paint remover, the surfactant removes latex paint at 5 percent concentration in aqueous phase compared with 100 percent solvent systems with methylene chloride.

The product also has a Kauri-butanol value greater than 1,000; a boiling point of 297 degrees C; a biorenewable carbon index of 75 percent; and a formulating pH range of 3 to 12.

Stepan Co. * 800-457-7673 * www.stepan.com