by Corky
September 30, 2010 01:56
Manufacturers of paint, coatings, and adhesives are increasingly seeking VOC-exempt solvents to meet regulatory and marketplace demands. Novolyte Performance Materials' line of "green" solvents includes dimethyl carbonate (DMC), a VOC-exempt linear carbonate solvent that is a cost-effective alternative to halogenated solvents and N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) with excellent toxicity properties, low odor, and rapid evaporation. DMC reduces exposure risks in manufacturing environments, and is suitable for low-odor consumer products, such as water-based adhesives and inks. Its high polarity improves suspension of pigments in inks, enabling cartridges that spray evenly without clogging and inks that penetrate paper without diffusing or smearing.
Novolyte has commercial quantities of DMC available in packaging ranging from 5-gal cans to bulk shipments.
In addition to DMC, Novolyte's carbonates include propylene carbonate (PC), which is also VOC-exempt, as well as ethylene carbonate and diethyl carbonate. The carbonate products complement our high-purity glycol diethers; 1,3-dioxolane; and 4-methyl-1,3-dioxolane "green" solvents, which offer coatings, inks, and adhesives formulators many options for high performing solvents that are low in odor, low in VOC, have a non-HAP status, and are low in toxicity. Novolyte's Higlyme, polyglyme, tetraglyme, and butyl diglyme diethers (glymes) are Non-VOCs in Europe and are suitable for low-VOC coatings applications in the U.S.
As states may have different rules governing the VOC exemption status of DMC and PC, please confirm with the authorities in your jurisdiction. More than 30 states have already exempted them so far, and most are expected to do so by the end of 2010.
By Steve Pekarcik
View DMC Data Sheet
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