A new bio-based alternative solution is now available for dry cleaners. Working with UK company Green Biologics and their facility in Minnesota, German chemical company Kreussler Inc. is now making dry cleaning solvent from corn grown by about 500 family-owned farms in the heartland of America. SOLVONK4 offers one single ultrapure solvent that cleans better than Perc without any of the environmental or health-related concerns.
Green Biologics will use their patented fermentation process to take locally-grown feedstocks from family-owned American farms and convert it through a low-energy, minimal waste process into the bio-based n-butanol used to produce SOLVONK4, the main solvent in the SYSTEMK4 dry cleaning process. SOLVONK4 will now be sustainable and bio-based while retaining the award-winning cleaning attributes of the original formula.
Worldwide patented SOLVONK4 is the first and only bio-based solvent in the dry cleaning industry. Kreussler, headquartered in Wiesbaden, is actively applying for the USDA BioPreferred® certification. As defined by the USDA, bio-based products are derived from plants and other renewable agricultural, marine, and forestry materials and provide an alternative to conventional petroleum-derived products. Bio-based products include diverse categories such as lubricants, cleaning products, inks, fertilizers, and bioplastics.
“We are pleased to be working in conjunction with Kreussler to bring SYSTEMK4 bio-based dry-cleaning solution to market. This is an excellent example of how we specialize in collaborating with a market leader to leverage our renewable specialty chemicals platform in new and unique applications to deliver value to customers,” said Peter O’Loughlin, Vice President of Global Sales, Green Biologics.
Richard Fitzpatrick, Vice President of Kreussler Inc. said that “This next step for SYSTEMK4 adds a critical and significant advantage for our clients, the ability to market a bio-derived and sustainable cleaning fluid. Green Biologics advanced developments in fermentation has given us the ability to push solvent-based textile cleaning into a new level and completes the picture of unparalleled cleaning, cost-effective operations, extremely low risk, and true ecological benefits.”
Since 1985, Kreussler has led the European market in dry cleaning. SYSTEMK4 is its answer to environmentally friendly dry cleaning. Using an absolutely revolutionary new process, this halogen-free dry cleaning fluid is safe, has excellent cleaning properties and is economical for dry cleaners.
IL BIOECONOMISTA 