German Version
Environmentally friendly Cognis surfactants put forward for the 2004 “German Environmental Award”
The German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) has made Disponil AFX, a range of surfactants manufactured by global specialty chemicals supplier Cognis, its only nomination for the 2004 “Deutscher Umweltpreis”, a prestigious environmental award. The high-performance surfactants will help manufacturers to move away from the use of nonylphenolethoxylates (NPEs) in polymerization processes, in anticipation of legislation banning the use of these environmentally damaging substances.
The German chemical industry voluntarily stopped using NPE surfactants in cosmetics and household products as far back as the 1980s. However, they are still used as emulsifiers in many industrial applications, despite the fact that the toxicity of their residues, which are harmful to many water-borne organisms, means they are legally classed as hazardous substances and must be labeled as environmentally hazardous. New EU legislation that comes into force in 2005 will prohibit the use of NPEs in practically all applications where they can get into the water. This will affect the estimated 75,000 metric tonnes of NPEs used annually for technical applications, and the approximately 10,000 metric tones used by European companies in the emulsion polymerization phase of the latex manufacturing process.
An innovative alternative for use in the manufacture of plastics and polymer dispersions
Disponil AFX represents the second generation of surfactants made from renewable raw materials. Cognis launched its first environmentally friendly surfactants for plastic and latex production on the European market back in 2001.
The US launch of Disponil AFX took place at the 31st Annual International Water-borne Symposium held in New Orleans in February of this year, and this high-performance alternative to environmentally damaging NPEs is now being marketed worldwide. Disponil AFX surfactants are fully biodegradable and safer, more environmentally friendly and less toxic than competing products. As a result they are not legally classed as an environmentally harmful substance.
Moreover, Cognis’ “green” surfactant systems are actually more efficient than NPEs. They perform better in aqueous polymerization processes due to their better electrolytic stability and ability to withstand freeze/thaw cycles. These superior performance characteristics have been proven in numerous tests. Disponil AFX is also suitable for other areas of application such as crop protection chemical and paints and coatings.
Disponil AFX is a patented product that has already achieved a five percent share of the emulsion polymerization surfactant market. “Our Disponil AFX surfactants help manufacturers to move away from the use of NPEs in polymerization processes, in anticipation of legislation banning the use of these environmentally damaging substances. Their excellent performance profile makes them a genuinely viable alternative in the polymerization market,“ comments Dr. Rainer Höfer, head of technology at Cognis’ Functional Products strategic business unit.
First held in 1992, the “German Environmental Award” is given annually by the German Environment Foundation, and is the most valuable environmental award in Europe. It aims to recognize holistic multidisciplinary solutions that use innovative thinking in a practical way. Winning ideas generally have a best practice character that can inspire widespread imitation, and make a positive contribution to identifying environmental problems early and nullifying or reducing their impact.
Disponil AFX: technical data
- Composition: highly concentrated modified fatty alcohol ethoxylates
- Key data: pH 6–7.5; water content 19–21%; phase separation temperature 66–70°C
- Appearance: clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid
- Active ingredient content: 79 – 81%
- Density (at 20°C): approx. 1.04g/cm3
- Setting point: 80 percent liquid product that starts to solidify at <10°C
- Areas of application: Disponil AFX 1080 is a non-ionic surfactant with a wide range of emulsion polymerization applications. It can be used either alone or in combination with other surfactants, and is suitable for the emulsification of hydrophobic particles such as pigments, resins or solid fats in water.
About Cognis:
Cognis is a worldwide supplier of innovative specialty chemicals and nutritional ingredients. It employs 8,500 people, and has production sites and service centers in almost 30 countries. The company has dedicated its activities to a high level of sustainability and delivers natural source raw materials and ingredients for food, nutrition and healthcare markets, and the cosmetics, detergents and cleaners industries. Additionally, Cognis provides solutions for a number of other industries, such as coatings and inks, lubricants, textiles and plastics, as well as agriculture and mining.
Cognis is owned by private equity funds advised by Permira, GS Capital Partners, and Schroder Ventures Life Sciences. In 2003, Cognis recorded sales of 2.95 billion euros and a Recurring EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and exceptional items) of 312 million euros.
Contact:
Dr. Rainer Höfer, Technical Director Functional Products
Cognis Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG
Phone: +49-211-7940-4830
E-mail: rainer.hoefer@cognis.com
Internet: www.cognis.com
Susanne Sengel, Corporate Communications Manager
Cognis Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG
Phone: +49-211-7940-5431
E-mail: susanne.sengel@cognis.com
Internet: www.cognis.com