Apr 29 2010
On April 2, the Arkema’s Thiochemicals business unit, in partnership with Rhodia and Brenntag, organized a briefing seminar at Arkema’s headquarters for its customers looking for a paint-stripping solution.
Produced at Lacq, DMSO, or Dimethyl Sulfoxide, is a cost-effective solvent that is safe to man and the environment, and is not labeled as hazardous according to European directive 67/548/EEC. With its excellent toxicological profile and high solvent power, DMSO is the best alternative to solvents rated hazardous such as DMF (dimethylformamide), NMP (N-methylpyrrolidone) and NEP (N-ethylpyrrolidone), methanol, and methylene chloride. Used in combination with other solvents, e.g. Rhodia’s Rhodiasolv® STRIP, DMSO represents an excellent active substance for the development of paint-stripping formulations that are safe to man and the environment.
In April 2008 OECD experts certified that DMSO did not represent a significant hazard for health and the environment. These conclusions are in accordance with the absence of DMSO classification as a hazardous material based on European regulations criteria. Meanwhile, DMSO’s REACH registration has been accepted by the authorities, under number 01-2119431362-50-0000. As DMSO is not classified as hazardous, no exposure scenario is required.
Some fifty customers, prospective customers and prescribers took up Arkema’s invitation, and the breadth of the discussions and questions, suggest a bright future for these new non-toxic and fully biodegradable paint-stripping formulations, used in products marketed in France by our partner Brenntag.
DMSO is a highly effective polar aprotic solvent in many applications:
- Active substance synthesis
- Agrochemical formulations
- Paint stripping
- Electronics (photoresist stripper, etc.)
- Coatings (polymer formulation and synthesis)
- Industrial cleaning
- Aromatic extraction
Arkema’s global sales team has the technical expertise to assist development projects in all coatings applications.