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International Polyol Chemicals, Inc. PO BOX 190 - Blue River, OR 97413 - (541) 822-8400
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Green
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"Green" Technology
Using IPCI thermal catalytic hydrotreating technology to convert sugar to sugar alcohols, and thence to industrial polyols, is considered "GREEN" in several senses of the word. The term "GREEN" - as applied to research, technology, chemistry, and industrial or chemical processes, among other topics - has become widely popular in recent years in connection with a variety of activities. Although much of this renewed "GREEN" interest has been stimulated by the influx of large amounts of research and development funding by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, there is, nevertheless, a growing appreciation by the general population that "GREEN" means clean, and is therefore a positive term. Currently, the term "GREEN" is used as a descriptor of multiple topics, including: · Use or reuse of recycled or reclaimed materials · "GREEN" Revolution - use of crop genetics and gene modification techniques to increase agricultural productivity · Substitution of less toxic, less volatile solvents in coatings, paints and chemical processing · "GREEN" Industrial laboratory facilities - that use less energy, are constructed of recycled materials, and promote the physical well-being of occupants · Chemical processes which utilize less- or non-toxic reactants and produce only clean, non-toxic products - all of which have a use - and with low emissions of toxic gases or liquids · Sustainable technology · Environmental issues · Biotechnology in general
In a sense, "GREEN" is currently a politically correct term used loosely to describe anything clean or advantageous to the overall environment. Most applicable to the IPCI Technologies, The American Chemical Society has recently established a substantive interest and program for "GREEN" Chemistry. On its Web site, the ACS lists 12 Principles of "GREEN" Chemistry as being particularly relevant. These principles as presented on the ACS Web Site are taken with permission from the publication "Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice", by P.T. Anastas and J.C. Warner, published by Oxford University Press, New York, 1998.
The 12 Principles so ably formulated by Anastas and Warner embody such concepts as: · Energy efficiency · Waste prevention · Use of alternate feedstocks · Use of catalysis · Utilization of all reactants and products from chemical manufacturing
Long before the formulation of the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry, and throughout its long history of technology development, IPCI has subscribed to these principles, starting with its original vision of utilizing renewable feedstocks. IPCI's technologies and processes are considered to be "GREEN" because they: · Are based on renewable, sustainable feedstocks · Generally utilize less hazardous, clean reagents · Are designed for improved energy efficiency · Utilize long lasting and safe catalysts · Produce only products which are environmentally degradable · Produce multiple products, all of which have markets, or can be recycled into the process itself. ·
Produce a minimum of
waste materials, all of which are readily treated by established methods
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