Rhodiasolv® IRIS reçoit le soutien du programme Européen Life+

Product benefit: A new generation of safe and eco-friendly solvent solutions

As part of a major R&D program, Rhodia has developed a range of innovative, more eco-friendly solvents designed to meet the increasing environment, health and safety requirements of their customers.

Biodegradable, non-toxic, non-flammable and non-VOC* (Volatile Organic Compound), Rhodiasolv® IRIS is used as an alternative to traditional solvents in a wide range of applications such as paint stripping, graffiti removal, composite resin, ink and textile cleaning and industrial degreasing.

Formulations based on Rhodiasolv® IRIS (STRIP, GRAFF, Infinity) belong to the new generation of dibasic ester solvents. These formulations offer efficient, cost-effective solutions compliant with the new European regulations.

Safer and non-toxic solvents

In line with the REACH directive, France's PNSE2 (Plan National Santé Environnement) and with the European directive 276/2010 to restrict production and use of dichloromethane based paint strippers, Rhodia can now provide safe alternatives to currently available toxic solvents such as n-methyl-pyrrolidone (NMP) and dichloromethane.

Fewer or zero solvent emissions

Following the Directive 1999/13/EC for reduction of solvent emissions, Rhodia aims to replace volatile solvent emissions.

Rhodia received the 2009 Pierre Potier Prize for “innovation in chemistry supporting sustainable development” and the 2010 JEC Innovation Prize in Asia for its Rhodiasolv® IRIS range that provides a more eco-friendly and safer alternative to traditional solvents.

Sustainability profile

Non toxic, non irritant, non sensitizer

Non VOC (1999/13/EC), non flammable

Readily biodegradable

New process benefit - Designing a more sustainable process for solvents production

The challenge is to develop a more sustainable production process, with low fossile feedstock and energy requirements, maximum recycling and minimum effluents or atmospheric emissions. This production process has also to be cost effective in order to allow the largest possible use of new eco-friendly solvents.

Sustainable industrial process - reducing our carbon footprint

Thanks to the improved industrial process, Rhodia is targeting a reduction in the carbon footprint of the existing polyamide chain by several tens of thousand tons per year.The new manufacturing process will allow an annual reduction of C02 emissions as well. Due to better utilization of the fossil fuel feedstocks, the new production process will allow an annual reduction of C02 emissions equivalent to the annual emission of 16 000 cars/140 gCO₂/km /10 000 km/year. A large quantity of ammonia will also be recovered and recycled in the process.

This industrial pilot supported by LIFE+ will also allow the implementation of a more sustainable and flexible process to extend the Rhodiasolv IRIS range with production adapted to multiple applications.