Chesterfield, UK - Bio8 has developed a solvent based on natural materials that can be used to break down polyurethane residues, as an alternative to N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP), methylene chloride, and other materials.
The material works very quickly and is classified as non-hazardous under REACH, the EU's chemicals regulation, claims Bio8 managing director Andrew Hiron.
Hiron says the material works by breaking down the chemical structure of many polymeric compounds making them swell and rupturing the bonds.
Bio8 says the product is currently being used in many applications across the world and also by some of the largest names in the industry.
The product, called Envii, is available as a liquid (705) for soaking or a gel (706) for cleaning machinery and parts that cannot be soaked or for use on vertical surfaces where a gel gives the contact time required.
Hiron says the product has been used/is being used for: flexible and rigid polyurethane foam; PU and epoxy adhesives; polyurea; cured isocyanate; cured PU elastomers; and spray foam insulation.
Bio8's customer list includes: Recticel Europe, Kingspan, BASF, Huntsman Adhesives, Taylor Made Adidas Golf, Carpenter, Premium Spray products (USA), Dan-Foam (Tempur), eKornes (Stressless), Autoliv, etc, etc.
Hiron comments that "The initial reaction of every company has been that they were very sceptical." But also, they "desperately wanted a product that was safer, more environmentally friendly and most importantly worked."
So when companies test the product they are "amazed at how well our product cleans," Hiron said. "When compared to the most commonly used NMP-based cleaners they have found that our product provides a much deeper and complete clean, quicker, safer and also the product can be re-used and has two to three times the life."
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